Nature
Of A Cardiac Rehabilitation Programme
A comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation programme should
include a medically prescribed exercise routine based
on the patient’s exercise tolerance level. Physical
activity is crucial in helping the patient to improve
his cardiovascular fitness and cultivate a lifelong habit
of regular exercise, which can help to delay further deterioration
of his heart condition. At the same time, cardiac rehabilitation
should also offer behavioural counselling and health education
to enhance the patient’s psychological well-being
as well as reduce any coronary risk factors and modify
any unhealthy lifestyle habits which he may have.
Cardiac rehabilitation is usually carried out in four
phases as shown below:
| Phase |
Nature
of Rehabilitation |
I |
Inpatient – introduction to caring for one’s
heart |
II |
Outpatient – usually begins 2 weeks after
discharge from hospital and lasts for 8 to 12 weeks |
III |
Outpatient intermediate maintenance – for
a period of 4 to 8 weeks |
IV |
Community-based – lifelong maintenance of
cardiac health |
Most hospital offer in-hospital cardiac
rehabilitation programme. For community-based cardiac
rehabilitation programme, patients can enroll with SHF
cardiac rehabilitation centre. |
|
|
