Cardiac rehabilitation in the United States

Abstract

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States (US). In addition to this, many of the risk factors of CHD, such as obesity, sedentary lifestyle, diabetes mellitus, and poor nutrition, are disproportionately high in the US. Despite the many known benefits of cardiac rehabilitation (CR), referral and participation rates in these programs are paradoxically low. Over the course of this review, we will discuss some of the many benefits of CR, some of the risk factors for CHD in the US, and factors that affect referral and participation in these programs. © 2014 Elsevier Inc.