Definition of Cardiac rehabilitation
Cardiac rehabilitation: A program for people with heart disease designed to reduce future heart risks. Cardiac rehabilitation
usually consists of nutritional counseling; management of lipid levels, hypertension, weight, and diabetes; smoking
cessation; psychosocial interventions; physical activity counseling; and
exercise training. Cardiac rehabilitation reduces the risks of subsequent heart
attacks and death from other causes. Cardiac rehabilitation is safe and beneficial when patients are evaluated and selected for it. Contraindications for cardiac rehabilitation include unstable angina, serious arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, previous cardiac arrest during exercise, and extremely low activity level.
Last Editorial Review: 11/7/2003Common Misspellings: cardic markers
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