Clearly, there is no question about the benefits of cardiac rehab. Physicians, relatives and friends should strongly encourage heart attack survivors and those receiving treatment for coronary disease to enter a cardiac rehab program. It is as important as taking prescribed medicines and following a recommended diet.
My own experience, including listening to comments from other longer term participants, is that participating in a formal cardiac rehab program – typically three days a week for twelve weeks, with the option to stay in a maintenance program – helps people stay committed to regular physical exercise. And this surely is important if losing weight is a goal.
It should be noted that research at the University of Toronto reported in 2005 found that the optimal time for a rehab program is nine months. But the problem in the US is that Medicare and other forms of insurance just cover three months.
I want to emphasize the benefits of having professionals carefully and routinely monitor blood pressure and heart function at a time when one is inevitably fearful about regaining physical strength and endurance after a heart attack. One feels safe exercising because of all the careful, close supervision. Confidence, confidence, confidence is a prime benefit of a participating in a cardiac rehab program.
If mending broken hearts is a priority, then clearly more must be done to get more heart attack survivors and heart disease patients into cardiac rehab programs. This is really heartwise.
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