Cardiac Rehabilitation: Can It Help Your Heart Live Longer?

Millions of Americans who undergo heart surgery or experience cardiovascular complications, such as heart attack or heart failure, are often advised to participate in cardiac rehabilitation. This program, overseen by medical professionals, combines lifestyle changes, education, and physical activity to aid patients in their recovery and reduce the risk of future health issues. A recent study conducted by Michigan Medicine reveals that individuals who engage in cardiac rehabilitation after heart surgery have a reduced risk of death several years post-surgery, with a noticeable trend towards better outcomes for those attending more sessions.

Dr. Michael P. Thompson, the senior author and assistant professor of cardiac surgery at the University of Michigan Medical School, emphasizes the proven benefits of cardiac rehabilitation in improving patients' outcomes and overall quality of life following heart surgery. However, there is often a challenge in ensuring patients' attendance to these programs.

Assessing Cardiac Rehabilitation Among Coronary Artery Bypass Patients

The research involved an examination of over 6,400 Medicare fee-for-service claims linked to clinical registry data to assess cardiac rehabilitation usage among Michigan residents who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (commonly known as heart bypass) between 2015 and late 2019. This surgery involves improving blood flow to the heart by connecting a healthy artery or vein from another part of the body to a blocked coronary artery (1^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Cardiac Rehabilitation Reduces Two-Year Mortality After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

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The study's findings revealed that patients who participated in cardiac rehabilitation after heart bypass surgery experienced a 3-5% absolute reduction in mortality rate during the two years following the procedure. The most significant decrease in mortality was observed in patients who completed 36 or more sessions, which aligns with the recommended number of sessions for coronary artery bypass grafting patients.

While any attendance in cardiac rehabilitation was beneficial, the data highlights that patients derived greater benefits when they attended more sessions. Dr. Thompson stresses the importance of both attendance and adherence to cardiac rehabilitation to optimize patient outcomes.

Interestingly, the patients who tended to participate in cardiac rehab after coronary artery bypass grafting were older on average, more frequently discharged to their homes than extended care facilities, and spent less time in the hospital.

Only 12% of Cardiac Rehab Patients Completed their Sessions

Despite health systems referring patients to the program 94% of the time, only slightly over half of patients attended a single session of cardiac rehabilitation, and merely 12% completed the recommended 36 sessions.

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Dr. Tyler M. Bauer, the first author and general surgery resident at U-M Health, suggests that the low participation rates despite referrals indicate a need for quality improvement efforts to enhance participation in cardiac rehabilitation.

After considering patient risk factors, the study found that only 5% of the variation in cardiac rehab usage was attributed to the hospital where the patient had the procedure.

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A separate study conducted by Michigan Medicine researchers in 2022 revealed that Black patients who underwent stenting or balloon angioplasty for clogged arteries were referred to cardiac rehabilitation at significantly lower rates than white patients. Additionally, women, minorities, older adults, and those with other medical conditions are also under-referred to cardiac rehab, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Dr. Thompson stresses that improving referral, attendance, and adherence to cardiac rehabilitation in minority and underserved populations may be an effective strategy to reduce longstanding disparities in cardiovascular outcomes.

Reference:

1. Cardiac Rehabilitation Reduces Two-Year Mortality After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting - (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37392993/)

Source-Medindia