Cardiac Rehab Saves Lives

A heart attack can be a wake-up call for people with coronary artery disease. They are frequently encouraged to participate in a program of cardiac rehabilitation that entails exercise, diet and counseling. Researchers at the Mayo Clinic studied more than 2,000 records of patients who underwent angioplasty for blocked coronary arteries. Over the 14-year period, patients who completed cardiac rehab were 50 percent less likely to die than those who did not participate. Unfortunately, too many heart patients do not take advantage of such programs. Cost has been an issue in the past, but now that Medicare covers 80 percent, that should be less of a barrier.

[Circulation, online May 16, 2011]