Patients Urged to Embrace Cardiac Rehabilitation for Health

A structured approach to recovery is essential after a cardiac event, yet awareness of cardiac rehabilitation remains alarmingly low. This medically supervised program is designed to enhance cardiac endurance, helping patients recover and prevent future heart problems. Experts like Muralidar Babi, a cardiac rehabilitation physician at a centre in Hyderabad, emphasize the importance of increasing awareness about these programs, which are crucial for both recovery and prevention.

Heart attacks are the leading cause of death globally, according to the World Health Organization, but they are largely preventable. Dr. Babi highlights the gap in awareness regarding the benefits of cardiac rehabilitation, stating, “This is one of the biggest challenges. Cardiac rehabilitation as primary prevention offers a high potential to prevent heart attacks and to rehabilitate patients who have suffered heart attacks.” Despite its clear advantages, cardiac rehab services remain underutilized, especially in regions like India.

Understanding Cardiac Rehabilitation

Traditional approaches to recovery often focus on basic physical activity post-surgery. In contrast, physician-supervised cardiac rehabilitation encompasses a customized exercise program tailored to each patient’s specific needs and medical history. Dr. Babi explains that the rehabilitation duration typically spans from three to six months, depending on individual circumstances. Patients usually attend sessions lasting 90 minutes, three times a week, aimed at systematically strengthening the heart.

As patients progress, they are encouraged to engage in sports or running, further enhancing their cardiac endurance. “The aim is to build cardiac endurance in heart attack survivors or in people at risk,” Dr. Babi notes. This proactive approach not only improves health outcomes but also reduces the likelihood of hospital readmissions.

Barriers to Access

Despite the proven benefits of cardiac rehabilitation, access remains uneven. Dr. Lakshmi Nair, a consultant rehabilitation physician at Apollo Hospitals in Chennai, points to several obstacles, including lack of awareness, funding, and trained professionals. “At Apollo, all patients who undergo cardiac surgery are automatically referred for cardiac rehab,” she explains, emphasizing the importance of empowering patients to manage their health and improve their quality of life.

The World Health Organization aims to increase access to rehabilitation services by 2030, yet over 50% of patients who require these services do not receive them. Dr. Nair highlights that the unmet need for cardiac rehab is particularly high in India, where many healthcare providers lack the resources to implement comprehensive programs.

Eligibility for cardiac rehabilitation includes individuals who have experienced an acute myocardial infarction, undergone percutaneous coronary intervention, or had coronary artery bypass grafting, among other conditions. Dr. Nair describes how those who have had angioplasty can begin rehabilitation within two days, while patients recovering from more invasive procedures may need to wait 20 to 25 days.

Tailored Programs and Success Rates

At the Christian Medical College (CMC) in Vellore, cardiac rehabilitation services are integrated into both the cardiology and physical medicine departments. Professor Judy Ann John, head of the physical medicine and rehabilitation department, outlines how programs are individually designed to meet specific patient needs. Rehabilitation is crucial for improving cardiovascular function and enhancing recovery after cardiac events.

Dr. John explains that rehabilitation helps strengthen the heart muscle through a carefully monitored exercise protocol. “This gradual training makes a significant psychological difference for patients,” she says. Once patients complete the structured program, they can pursue activities like running or jogging to maintain their health.

Success rates for cardiac rehabilitation programs are promising. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States, individuals attending 36 sessions experience a 47% lower risk of death and a 31% lower risk of heart attack compared to those who attend only one session. This underscores the urgent need for widespread implementation of cardiac rehab, especially in areas experiencing a rise in early heart attacks and related mortality.

Dr. Babi actively promotes cardiac rehabilitation through community outreach, conducting workshops, and organizing events like the annual World Heart Day run, scheduled for September 21. He also leads a club for patients who have completed rehabilitation, fostering a sense of community and motivation among participants. Each Sunday, these individuals meet for group runs, participating in approximately 30 to 40 events annually.

Dr. Babi stresses the necessity for improved access to cardiac rehabilitation programs, noting that currently, less than 1% of patients in India are aware of these services. He advocates for government policies to incorporate cardiac rehabilitation into standard healthcare practices, ensuring that more individuals can benefit from these essential services.