[Cardiac rehabilitation and secondary prevention]

Abstract

The last few years, a series of Guidelines, Reports, Review and Recommendations have confirmed that the scientific world is focusing on Cardiac Rehabilitation and Secondary Prevention. However, despite the scientific evidence, cultural problems, apparent economic limitations and organizational difficulties, continue to slow the development of Cardiac Rehabilitation. The main fault lies with the medical community and its cultural preparation. In the past 10 years the attention of the cardiologist has been focused on the early thrombolytic treatment and on primary coronary angioplasty while the secondary prevention has not always been a priority. Despite the many barriers against the development of Cardiac Rehabilitation, it would seem that it is important to improve the training of the future doctor and cardiologist by including the primary and secondary prevention and the clinical application of physical therapy in the university studies and in the courses of specialization. If the politicians are aware of the reduction in costs, even the cardiologists should realize that certain results can be obtained in a cost-effective manner, and surely that Cardiac Rehabilitation is more cost-effective with respect to thrombolytic treatment, bypass or hypolipidaemic drugs.