Cardiac Rehabilitation and Secondary Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease

Abstract

Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States among men and women.¹ It is also a major cause of physical disability, particularly in the rapidly growing population of elderly persons.^2,3 In 1997, acute myocardial infarction was diagnosed in 1.1 million Americans, and 800,000 patients underwent coronary revascularization.¹ The prevention of subsequent coronary events and the maintenance of physical functioning in such patients are major challenges in preventive care.Cardiac-rehabilitation programs were first developed in the 1960s,⁴⁶ once the benefits of ambulation during prolonged hospitalization for coronary events had been recognized.⁷ After discharge from . . .