This self-directed learning module highlights cardiac rehabilitation issues facing able-bodied populations. It is part of the chapter on cardiovascular, pulmonary, and cancer rehabilitation in the Self-Directed Physiatric Education Program for practitioners and trainees in physical medicine and rehabilitation. This article focuses on various aspects of the management of cardiac disease and rehabilitation, including medication, exercise, risk-factor modification, secondary prevention, and surgery. Topics discussed include myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, and angina. New advances covered in this article include the various phases of cardiac rehabilitation, data on lifestyle adaptations for cardiac disease, and recent surgical advances for the treatment of severe heart failure.
Overall article objective: To review aspects of the management of cardiac disease and rehabilitation, including medication, exercise, risk-factor modification, secondary prevention, and surgery.