American College Of CardiologyCardiac rehabilitation is claimed to be a medically supervised program that aids in enhancing the health and well-being of people who suffer from heart problems. A set of Mayo Clinic scientists have apparently discovered that cardiac rehabilitation seems to be linked to considerably decreased mortality rates for patients who have had stents placed to treat obstructions in their coronary arteries.

The study found that patients who suffered from coronary angioplasty and afterwards took part in a cardiac rehabilitation program apparently encompassed a 45 to 47 percent reduction in mortality as opposed to those who did not join the cardiac rehabilitation program.

Randal Thomas, M.D., a preventive cardiologist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn, commented, “Patients need to know that once they’ve had a coronary artery stent placed, they are not cured. Participation in a cardiac rehabilitation program will improve their health outcomes and quality of life.”

The research team checked the records from an exclusive database of roughly 2,351 Mayo Clinic patients who went through coronary angioplasty between 1994 and 2008. The by and large involvement rate in cardiac rehabilitation was said to be roughly 40 percent. Individual patients were supposedly tracked for an average of six years.

In cardiac rehabilitation programs, patients apparently exercise thoroughly and receive assistance in managing risk factors. This seems to result in health advantages that are believed to be obvious in the first year, and develop even more over the long term.

Even though cardiac rehabilitation programs are claimed to be useful, Dr. Thomas mentioned that just 20 percent of all entitled cardiac patients nationally and roughly 60 percent of Mayo patients partake. Numerous aspects seem to pose an obstruction and keep people from taking part.

Dr. Thomas quoted, “Cardiac rehabilitation wasn’t covered by insurance for patients undergoing angioplasty therapy until 2006. Many patients and providers don’t know that it’s covered now. Also, some patients live far away from a cardiac rehabilitation facility. But what’s most troubling is that physicians often fail to emphasize the need for cardiac rehabilitation with their patients.”

Dr. Thomas believes that cardiac rehabilitation is like a life raft to carry heart procedure patients through the turbulent white water of cardiac trouble. It’s very important that they participate in such a program.

The study was presented at the American College of Cardiology in Atlanta.