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(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Cardiac rehabilitation can reduce disability and prolong life, but many patients may be missing out on the benefits.
New research from Brandeis University in Waltham, Mass., reveals fewer than one-in-five (18.7 percent) patients get cardiac rehab services after a heart attack or coronary bypass surgery. But, bypass patients are much more likely (31.0 percent) than heart attack patients (13.9 percent) to receive rehabilitation.
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The study evaluated Medicare claims data from 267,427 men and women age 65 and older who survived at least 30 days after being released from a hospital following a heart attack or coronary bypass surgery in 1997.
Results show, despite Medicare coverage of cardiac rehabilitation services, women participated less than men, older patients less than younger ones, and non-whites much less than whites. There were big geographic differences in use, ranging from 53.5 percent of patients in Nebraska to 6.6 percent in Idaho.
Cardiac rehabilitation sessions include supervised exercise to improve cardiovascular fitness and assistance in making lifestyle changes, like stopping smoking, improving diet and reducing stress.
Researchers report every patient who has a heart attack or is hospitalized for coronary disease should be considered as a candidate for rehab when they are discharged, and patients and their families should ask for referral for the service.
This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, which offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, click on: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.
SOURCE: Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association, published online Sept. 24, 2007
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