TEMA 4-2015: REHABILITACIÓN CARDÍACA PARA EL MÉDICO GENERAL

Abstract

Cardiac rehabilitation has become a therapeutic tool in modern cardiology; and although it was introduced so early and with sufficient evidence, it hasn’t been widely used by the medical com- munity. The first goal of cardiac rehabilitation was to help patients reacquire autonomy and improve regular physical activity, but recently these programs consist of more components and clinical studies show a positive impact on mor- tality. Currently, cardiac rehabilitation programs are multidisciplinary and consist of three phases which include early progressive mobilization of the stable cardiac patient, postoperative care, optimization of medical therapy, the develop- ment of a physical activity program, counseling on healthy lifestyles and management of comor- bidities, among others. The general practitioner, like the primary care physician must implement these secondary prevention measures since evi- dence of the benefits obtained with each of these phases is clear.