CARDIOPULMONARY REHABILITATION: RHC

A TOPIC THAT REQUIRES ATTENTION

Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation must be part of an integrated treatment of patients who have had some heart disease or patients with risk factors of suffering. It is important to bear in mind that cardiopulmonary pathologies originated from multiple factors so that Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation must have completely personalized protocols that are fulfilled depending on the condition and the severity of the pathology, as well as knowing the resources available for patients.

Schiller Americas, contributing to the change.

Our main task as a starting point is: to raise awareness of the benefits that Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation provides to the patients and also to let them know the importance of considering Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation as a secondary prevention program for their cardiovascular risk factors. This CR is already aligned with multiple cardiopathies, making it favorable to almost any patient.

CARDIOPULMONARY REHABILITATION PROGRAMS

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality worldwide (according to the American Heart Association, 2017) so it is necessary to start talking more about the subject. Both health professionals and patients should know the importance of this vital part of the recovery treatment for cardiac pathologies.

Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Programs fulfill an essential objective: helping patients who have one or more cardiovascular risk factors or those who already have had a heart disease to develop a healthier lifestyle and to prevent and improve their evolution and their recovery.

Patients who have suffered from heart disease ask themselves: What will happen once I’m out of the hospital? Will I have any risks? Should I follow any specifications to prevent this from happening in the future? To give an accurate answer, the physician must comprehensively evaluate the patient's situation, including risk factors, response to the treatment and physical-psychological state of the patient. Then to structure the best plan and the best treatment available for the patient. The treatment will include a change of habits, medication, and new physical activity. These details must be under strict supervision by a multidisciplinary team of health professionals.

Education and good habits are the secrets to keep a healthy heart. Educating the patient as to what they should be doing and not is the first step to prevent any complication in the future. Rehabilitation promotes the prevention of recidivism, but it must always adapt to the observations and specific indications that the doctor offers to the patients.

BENEFITS

• Improvement in the control of the risk factors of patients with cardiovascular pathologies.
• Minimizes recidivism or the appearance of new cardiovascular events.
• Improvement of quality of life and prognosis.
• Significantly improves exhaustion symptoms and increases muscle strength.
• Reduces anxiety and depression.
• This reduces complications in the short and long term.

PRESENT TIMES

Efforts are currently being made to establish a set of measures to improve compliance of recommendations made by the health professionals on cardiac rehabilitation programs, both in the selection of the patients that should include the CR to their treatment and the operation and compliance with the objectives of those.

CRs must consist of several phases or stages to provide optimal results:

Phase I - It can be started during the period of hospitalization to avoid the appearance of complications that may occur due to prolonged bed rest.

Phase II - After discharge, the patient seeks to recover strength to join their daily activities again and also stimulating confidence in himself and his body.

Phase III - In this phase, the patient is expected to improve their lifestyle, maintain physical activity, food, and adequate medication, which will allow their health status to be adequate in the medium and long term.

The American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation of the United States proposes to hold certification for the adoption of measures that standardize the referral of patients. Also, that it can guarantee adequate infrastructures conditioned to the patients, and consequently, results of rehabilitation programs are optimal.