Home-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs

QUESTION: I had a heart attack recently. Thanks to a lot of good care, I
pulled through nicely. I am now determined to keep things in working order
and want to join a cardiac rehabilitation program. Is a home-based
rehabilitation program as good as going to the hospital every day for
rehabilitation?
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ANSWER: It can be, but a lot depends on your condition and how well you stick
with the program. Cardiac rehabilitation programs have grown in popularity in
the last few years because we have learned they can help people recuperate
from a heart attack and avoid future ones. Many hospitals and health centers
have set up cardiac rehabilitation centers where patients come for physical
therapy, exercise, and education.
But for various reasons, only 15% of eligible cardiac patients use these
hospital-based programs. A home-based program, where you diet and exercise at
home, is more convenient and cheaper. And by involving the whole family, it
can reduce their risk of heart attack as well.
The drawback to a home-based program is that you're on your own for a
great deal. Although your physician and other health professionals will give
you instructions about exercise, diet, and monitoring your heart, they will
not be able to follow you as closely as with a hospital-based program.
Another drawback is that you won't have the camaraderie that other heart
patients in rehabilitation can provide. The combination of reduced follow-up
and camaraderie can mean poor compliance for some home-based patients.
Your physician will help you decide whether a home-based program is right
for you. Some people need the supervision that a hospital-based system
provides to obtain all of the benefits that these important programs offer.