Exercise Prescription and Progression Practices among US Cardiac Rehabilitation Clinics

Abstract

Background: Little is known about exercise prescription practices in cardiac rehabilitation (CR). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to understand how initial exercise is prescribed and how exercise intensity is progressed among cardiac patients enrolled in United States CR programs. Methods: A 22-question survey was sent out to US CR clinics. Results: Ninety-three clinics responded to the survey. RPE was the most commonly reported exercise intensity indicator used for prescribing exercise, followed by resting HR + 20–30 bpm. Exercise progression practices were also based on patient sustained RPE values. Conclusions. Exercise prescription practice has become reliant on subjective indicators of exercise intensity. This may limit patient outcomes, such as improvement in functional measures.

Effects of Low- and High-Frequency Cardiac Rehabilitation on Risk Factors, Physical Fitness and Quality of Life in Middle-Aged Women with Coronary Heart Disease

“…Management methods include monitoring health conditions through regular medical examinations, pharmacotherapy, and participation in structured services provided by the cardiac rehabilitation (CR) system. The CR team is composed of cardiologists, nutritionists, nurses, and clinical exercise specialists, and CR involves exercise, stress management, dietary control, lifestyle modification, smoking cessation, and alcohol restriction [4,5]. In patients with heart disease, CR aims to prevent cardiac events and recurrences, such as acute myocardial infarction, and to aid in the maintenance of physical and mental health by improving obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, and quality of life [6,7].…”