Abstract
Aim. This review study was designed to identify the benefits of cardiac rehabilitation and the factors affecting the participation of cardiac patients in cardiac rehabilitation programs.
Background. Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death and hospitalization in developed countries. Given that cardiac rehabilitation is as an important component of care for all patients with acute cardiac events, the knowledge of the benefits of cardiac rehabilitation for the prevention of secondary complications of these conditions may reinforce the patients to participate in cardiac rehabilitation programs.
Method. This study is a review of the papers related to cardiac rehabilitation searched out by databases PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar and Persian articles published in this subject.
Findings. The evidence has shown that those who have participated in cardiac rehabilitation programs are less likely to experience death and morbidity. In general, cardiac rehabilitation can prevent deaths due to heart disease, reduces the possibility of surgery and angiography and reduces the need for hospitalization. Studies over the last 30 years indicate that participating in cardiac rehabilitation programs improve functional capacity, risk factors, quality of life related to health and reduce cardiovascular mortality.
Conclusion. Cardiac rehabilitation is beneficial for patients with cardiovascular disease. It leads to reduction of mortality and morbidity, need for cardiac surgery, and re-hospitalization, and increases functional capacity, and quality of life.