2018

Authors

Sandra Mandic, Anna Rolleston, Garrick Hately, Stacey Reading

Abstract

Community-based cardiac rehabilitation programs play an important role in restoring and maintaining functional capacity and psychological well-being in patients with cardiovascular disease. The overarching goal of community-based programs is to promote and support long-term adherence to exercise and healthy lifestyle behavior. These programs exist in a continuum of forms ranging from those that offer services similar to hospital-based outpatient clinics, to clubs operated and managed by patients themselves. Most programs not only are centered on providing exercise training but also may provide health-related education, nutritional guidance, and behavioral counseling. The most successful programs are grounded in scientific best practice while maintaining cultural and social sensitivity to the individuals and communities they serve.

This chapter discusses outcomes of participation in community-based cardiac rehabilitation, adherence to such programs and special considerations including cultural aspects and program implementation in rural communities. We provide examples of several cardiac rehabilitation programs and recommendations for setting up such programs.

Publication Link

https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9780128112793/lifestyle-in-heart-health-and-disease

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780128112793000148