Posted on 07/16/2023 6:24:33 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
Only 1 in 4 people in a nationwide registry received cardiac rehabilitation referrals after being hospitalized for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, in which the heart doesn't contract effectively. Among them, about 1 in 25 actually participated in a rehab program.
The good news, researchers said, is that referrals increased over time—from 8% in 2010 to 32% by 2018.
Cardiac rehabilitation, a medically supervised program that includes exercise training and healthy lifestyle education, has been shown in previous research to improve quality of life and exercise levels and to lower the risk of heart failure hospitalization or death from any cause. So, not getting it could make a big difference in someone's overall outcomes, said Dr. Ambarish Pandey.
"Patients who are older are often considered too frail for cardiac rehabilitation," Pandey said. "This bias regarding these patients has allowed disparities to develop" despite evidence that patients with frailty issues may benefit more from cardiac rehab than those without.
Those who were referred for the program had a 16% lower risk of dying within a year compared to those without a referral.
Heart failure guidelines from the AHA and American College of Cardiology say cardiac rehab should be part of a patient's post-discharge care plan.
It's during hospitalization when cardiac rehabilitation care needs to be quickly arranged, said Steven Keteyian, Ph.D.
To overcome barriers to access, Pandey said options such as telehealth could help people lacking transportation or who live in rural areas where rehab programs are limited or require long-distance travel to get to a clinic.
The bottom line, both experts said, is that if someone with heart failure has not been told cardiac rehabilitation is available to them, they should be proactive and ask. "All patients should be offered (cardiac rehabilitation) on follow-up," Pandey said.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
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www.myheartbook.com
Click on the far right side of the screen where it says, “Stem Cells.”
They also publish a book called “Miracle Stem Cell Heart Repair: For Heart Attack, Heart Failure & Bypass Patients.” By Christian Wilde.
I have a lousy ejection fraction so I’m going to try this procedure myself later this year. I have to research who and where to get it done.
I live in Maine and as far as I know, there is no place in this state I can go.
“16% is for referral only.”
Great, I have a stack of unused rehab referrals...added up, I have a 50% chance of never dying!
Seriously, I do have a stack...they must have some kickback program for MD’s. I have referrals from neurosurgeon, neurologist, upper extremity orthopedist for hands, shoulder, lower extremity orthopedist for hip, shoulder replacement surgeon, knee replacement surgeon, primary care physician, urologist (told him I can’t compete in pissing contests anymore) and cardiologist. There aren’t enough days in a week/hours in a day for me to do what they suggest so I have to pick the currently most critical areas of focus. I think I need a whole body transplant...looking for donor!
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