What is cardiac rehabilitation?
It is a multifactorial programme comprising a group of activities to provide those with heart disease a physical, mental and social capacity that allows them to enjoy as normal a life as possible.
Who is it for?
Currently cardiac Rehabilitation is directed at:
- Patients with angina pectoris or myocardial infarction.
- Patients that have had angioplasty or coronary Stent implantation.
- Patients that have had heart surgery (valvular, coronary or congenital).
- Patients with heart failure.
- Patients with no known disease but with three or more cardiovascular risk factors or with a family history of premature heart disease.
- Adults who want to start exercising.
What does it involve?
- Individualised cardiac evaluation
- Design of a programme of regular and progressive exercise tailored to each patient
- Physical exercise under medical supervision
- Health education talks on eating habits, diabetes, tobacco, sexual dysfunction, cholesterol, etc.
- Help controlling anxiety-depression and stress
- Counsel and education on heart disease and its treatment
- Socio-occupational guidance
What are the results?
- Improved quality of life (improved functional capacity and psychological state)
- Reduced mortality (improved self-care and all cardiovascular risk factors)
- Reduced number of hospitalisations (reduced incidences of cardiac events)
- Better and faster socio-occupational reintegration (improved psychophysical adaptation)
- Improved prognosis of short, medium and long term illness
How is it done?
In sessions of 1.30- 2 hours three times a week, on alternate days for a total of 8 weeks, in groups of no more than 8 people.
Managing physicians
- Dr. Carrillo - Cardiologist
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