Cardiac rehab programs can improve patient health: education is a key to successful lifestyle change (2008). Case Management Advisor, 19(11), 127-128.Cardiac rehab: The road back to heart health. (2010). Consumer Reports on Health, 22(9), 10.Don't skip cardiac rehab after a heart event. (2013). Harvard Heart Letter, 24(3), 3.Ellismedicine.org. 2014. Customized Cardiac Rehab. Helping patients return to normal activity. Scotto, C. J., Waechter, D. J., & Rosneck, J. (2011). Adherence to Prescribed Exercise and Diet Regimens Two Months Post-Cardiac Rehabilitation. Canadian Journal Of Cardiovascular Nursing, 21(4), 11-17.

A comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation program is highly beneficial for people who have experienced a cardiac event, such as a heart attack or bypass surgery. Cardiac rehabilitation can reduce the risk of death after cardiac event by 20-25% (Case Management Advisor). Cardiac rehabilitation programs that include finding a lifetime activity for exercise as well as dietary and psychosocial counseling are dramatically effective in helping people make the lifestyle changes that will increase the likelihood of outliving their disease. Patients must understand that a procedure, such as bypass surgery, and prescribed medications do not protect completely from the progression of the disease (Case Management Advisor).

related to heart healthy lifestyle, and the importance of cardiac rehab Once patients have information they must learn how to apply it to in

order to reduce their risk for subsequent cardiac problems (Case Management Advisor)

Cardiac Rehab Programs Can Improve Patient Health Highly Beneficial for people who have experienced a cardiac event, such

as heart attack, bypass surgery or PCI Can reduce the risk of death after a cardiac event by 20-25% (Case

Management Advisor) Programs are dramatically effective in helping people make the lifestyle

changes that will increase the likelihood of outliving their disease Cardiac Rehab Programs include finding a lifetime activity for exercise as

well as dietary and psychosocial counseling A new set of performance measures aimed at increasing patient enrollment

in cardiac rehab programs and setting standards of excellence for program operation were released in 2007 by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation; The American College of Cardiology; and the American Heart Association (Consumer Reports on Health)

Requires a multi-disciplinary approach Performance measures pull all the pieces together to define a high-

performing program that is providing all of the necessary services Patients must understand that a procedure, such as bypass surgery, and

prescribed medications do not protect completely from the progression of the disease Patients are seen 2-3

times/week in a medical setting for about 3 months

Patient Education An individualized exercise

prescription is developed for each patient that is safe and effective

Patients Preform the exercise prescription in a supervised environment

Patients need education on a wide array of topics including heart disease, medications used to control symptoms, risk factors, diet

What is role of cardiac rehabilitation in the outcome of patients who experience a major cardiac event, within their first year of recovery?

Kimberly Akin, RN State University of New York Institute of Technology

Department of Nursing

Introduction Methods

Abstract

Results

AcknowledgementsWe would like to acknowledge the following for their help in making this researchpossible:Ellis Hospital Cardiac Rehab Program, Schenectady, NYEllis’ cardiac rehabilitation is certified by the American Association of Cardiovascularand Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR).SUNY IT – Cayan LibraryDr. Kathleen Rourke and Dr. Jennifer Klimick YinglingGoogle Images

An integrative literature review was conducted to research the topics of major cardiac events, cardiac rehabilitation, and cardiac rehab outcomes

CINAHL electronic database was used for research purposes The date range for selected research was 2008-2014 A nurse at a local hospital cardiac rehab program was consulted, as well as their website which they encourage their

patients to use for reference and information. Further teaching and research in the area of cardiac research is needed. Many patients who suffer a cardiac event are not

using their cardiac rehab benefits. An expert medical association calculates that only 14% to 35% of bypass patients get cardiac rehab. Some patients never hear about it from their doctors. Others, older women in particular, tend not to use it, even when their doctors prescribe it (Don’t skip cardiac rehab after an event).

Patient education improves outcomes for cardiac patients by teaching them how to make the changes

Greater knowledge about heart disease and how to achieve positive outcomes reduces fear and anxiety

Hospital admissions for cardiac disease exceed six million each year at a cost of $393.5 billion U.S., and mortality rates exceed 900,000/year. (Scotto, et al). A study was conducted to determine cardiac rehab participants’ knowledge of their diet and exercise regimen and the degree of adherence to diet and exercise two months after completing cardiac rehab. Of 174 participants, 111

(64%) completed the entire protocol. One hundred and fourteen (65%) returned the surveys and 137 (79%) completed the follow up call. Research has indicated that post-cardiac rehab, rates for diet and exercise adherence were poor. The failure to develop strong practices that promote healthy daily diet and exercise habits indicates a need for interventions to improve adherence beginning in the immediate post-cardiac rehab period and also within the cardiac rehab program itself (Scotto, et al).