NEWS
RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bobbie Boyd, Director of Public Relations
& Community Outreach
Advanced Cardiac Specialists
Cell Phone: (602) 570-7069 E-mail:
bobbie.boyd@acs-im.com
AN UNDER UTILIZED RESOURCE IN THE
BATTLE AGAINST HEART DISEASE
CARDIAC REHAB
Gilbert, Arizona
(September 2004) - Cardiac rehabilitation is increasingly being recognized as
an important factor in reducing morbidity and mortality in patients with left
ventricular (lower chamber of the heart) systolic dysfunction of the blood flow
due to cardiovascular disease. It is
credited with improving functional capacity, modifying left ventricle geometry,
reducing the potential risk for major future coronary events.
Advanced
Cardiac Specialists evaluated the effects of a 12-week physical training
program in patients with significant chronic left ventricular systolic
dysfunction. The research study
included 606 patients enrolled in a supervised exercise program. The aerobic exercise prescription used a
preset protocol designed by a group of exercise specialists and consisted of
EKG monitored, symptom limited cycle ergometry and treadmill walking up to 60
minutes per session, three days a week.
The intensity of exercise was set at 60 – 70% of heart rate reserve
(calculated by Karvonen’s formula based on resting heart rate, maximum
predicted heart rate and “conditioning intensity”). Multiple indices of exercise tolerance, echo-based left ventricle
ejection fraction and metabolic parameters were recorded at the time of entry
into and at completion of cardiac rehabilitation.
The
study demonstrates the remarkable effects of a supervised aerobic training and
cardiac rehabilitation program on patients with chronic left ventricle systolic
dysfunction. There was significant
improvement in left ventricle systolic and diastolic performance, HDL (good
cholesterol) levels and fasting blood glucose levels. This translates into significant improvement in functional class,
resting heart rate and exercise times and intensity. Longer follow-up is suggested to determine if the promising
results obtained with the 12-week exercise prescription are sustained in the
long-term and to determine the impact of these improvements on cardiac
morbidity and mortality.
Advanced Cardiac
Specialists presented these research findings at the Annual Scientific Meetings
of the Heart Failure Society of America in Toronto, Canada from September 12 –
15, 2004.