Because cardiac rehabilitation is important to the overall well-being, recovery, and improved long term prognosis of patients with cardiovascular disease, The Maryland Chapter of the American College of Cardiology, and the Maryland Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation recommend that cardiac rehabilitation be considered an integral part of the optimal care of the patient with cardiovascular disease. To be most effective, cardiac rehabilitation needs to be carried out as a multidisciplinary approach, involving health professionals trained to care for the medical, behavioral, and psychosocial needs of the patient. A comprehensive approach to cardiac rehabilitation should include medical evaluation, exercise prescription, cardiac risk factor modification, education, and behavioral counseling. The specific methods of delivery of services should be decided on an individual basis by the patient, physician, and cardiac rehabilitation team. Thus, cardiac rehabilitation is a fundamental element of continuum of care for cardiovascular disease, and should be made available for all patients, as appropriate.
Cardiac rehabilitation produces physiological, metabolic, and psychological benefits.
Through electrocardiographic monitoring, clinical observation, and assessment of signs and symptoms, supervised cardiac rehabilitation also results in problem detection leading to alterations in medical care. Early detection and resolution of medical problems help to prevent cardiac complications that would require extended outpatient and inpatient treatments. The number of sessions for a specific patient remains a matter of clinical judgement by the physician and cardiac rehabilitation team, and will vary with the stability of the patient, the acuity of the disease, and the patients ability to adhere to medical and behavioral advice. Patients who fail to demonstrate progress and continue to have adverse signs and symptoms, may require additional sessions. The Maryland Chapter of the American College of Cardiology, together with the Maryland Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, wishes to express our concern for the lack of availability to a large population of insured patients, in our state, who could potentially benefit from the preventive and therapeutic effects.