Why it is essential to improve cardiac rehabilitation completion rates in India
Cardiac rehabilitation is increasingly recognized as a vital component of heart disease recovery in India, yet completion rates remain low due to various barriers. Experts emphasize the need for more accessible facilities to address the high prevalence of premature heart disease in the country.
Why it matters
Improving cardiac rehab completion is critical for reducing mortality and improving quality of life in a country where heart disease is the leading cause of death.
Cardiac rehabilitation, a multidisciplinary approach to recovery and risk-reduction, is an important addition to medications, interventional and surgical procedures in heart patients. A cardiac rehab programme usually includes medical assessments, supervised exercise, nutritional guidance, psychosocial counselling and health education tailored to the clinical, cultural and behavioural needs of the patient.
Cardiac rehab has been incorporated into the routine care of patients in developed countries, while it is just now gaining inroads in low- and middle- income countries like India. The primary benefits of attending a cardiac rehab programme are faster recovery from cardiac procedures, reduced risk of future complications, improvement in blood sugar, blood pressure and lipid levels, increased cardiorespiratory fitness, adherence to a heart healthy diet, better weight management, abstinence from tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption, better emotional health and health-related quality of life, and decreased mortality.
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