The coronary arteries supply blood to the heart muscle. 250,000 suffer MIs each year. Chances of a person developing CHD are increased when one or more risk factors is present. Risk factors include cigarette smoking, high cholesterol level, high blood pressure, a family history of heart disease, diabetes, a low activity level, obesity, stress, and age. More men than women develop heart disease, but it is the leading cause of death among women.
Cardiac rehabilitation has three main features.
The first is education. Patients and their families learn how to modify lifestyles to reduce their risk factors. Since CHD is lifestyle related and can be an inherited disease, it is important that the patient's spouse and children do all they can to decrease their own risk of heart disease. The second feature of rehabilitation is an exercise program. Patients exercise at an individually prescribed level indicated by their medical history and personal goals.