Cardiac Rehab Exercise Prescription

Question 1

Inpatient Program - Aim

Answer 1

minimise complications, de-conditioning and functional decline
Education is essential
Need to prepare them for hospital discharge and self care at home

Question 2

Inpatient Program - Exercise Prescription

Answer 2

Frequency - 2-4 sessions a day for first 3 days of hospital stay
Intensity - seated/standing HR + 20-30bpm
Time - bouts 3-5mins
2:1 exercise to rest ratio
- then progress to 10-15 mins of continuous exercise
Type - aerobic (primarily walking)

Question 3

Sub-Acute Outpatient Program - Aim

Answer 3

improve exercise capacity and functional capacity
empower patient to self monitor and manage symptoms
safe but effective exercise dose
return to work with functional independence
usually commences 1-6 weeks post acute event

Question 4

Sub-Acute Outpatient Program - education topics

Answer 4

understanding heart function and disease
managing symptoms and performing CPR
medications and heart disease
nutrition and diet
resuming normal activity post heart attack 
ADLs and heart failure 
psychological aspects of heart disease
exercise

Question 5

Sub-Acute outpatient program - Exercise Prescription Aerobic

Answer 5

Frequency 3-5 days a week
Intensity - 40-80% of exercise capacity from exercise testing
- RPE 12-16
Time 20-30 mins
Type - arm ergometer, upright and recumbent cycles, elliptical rower, stair climber

Question 6

Sub-Acute outpatient program - Exercise Prescription Resistance

Answer 6

Frequency 2-3 days a week
Intensity 10-15 reps each exercise w/o significant fatigue
- 40-60% 1RM
Time 1-3 sets, 8-10 different exercises focused on major muscle groups
Type safe and comfortable, anything that is meaningful and translates to the long term

Question 7

Maintenance Program

Answer 7

patient needs to continue to exercise at least 3-5 days a week following the end of the formal program
Benefits are completely lost within 6 weeks if activity not maintained 
ways to maintain 
- supervised maintenance programs 
- groups Heartmoves of Lungs in Action
- local walking groups 
- home individual exercise 
- local gym
Heart Foundation

Question 8

Maintenance Program - Exercise Prescription Aerobic

Answer 8

Frequency - 3-5 days a week 
Intensity - 60-80% max HR
- RPE 11-14 
Time 30-60mins 
Type walking, cycling, anything that is meaningful and effective

Question 9

Maintenance Program - Exercise Prescription Resistance

Answer 9

Frequency - 1-2 days, non-consecutive
Intensity - 40% 1RM, progress to 70%
Time 2 sets, 10-15 reps
Type anything meaningful