Beyond cardiovascular rehabilitation

The fundamental goal of cardiac rehabilitation is to improve the quality of life and prognosis of patients. To do so, the hospitals need to coordinate various activities and specialties. As Dr. Maria Sanz, cardiologist at Clínic, points out, “cardiac rehabilitation is general, should include a psychological part and consider healthy lifestyles” . On the occasion of World Heart Day, celebrated on Thursday September 29, Clínic wants to value the importance of a good cardiac rehabilitation.

One of the main challenges facing professionals of cardiac rehabilitation is to get the continuity of a healthy lifestyle, beyond rehabilitation. That is why Dr. Cristina Vehí cardiologist at the Hospital, designed Outpatient Program of Nordic Walking, which is working since 2013. With this endurance sport, it is possible that patients with stable chronic ischemic heart disease or metabolic syndrome reduce significantly the cardiovascular risk factors. But besides the organic benefit, Nordic Walking entails a considerable advantage: it helps to combat the abandonment of the “heart-healthy” habits, allowing sport socially, in a relaxed manner, and create adhesion.

“Prehabilitar”: ahead rehabilitation

If the Nordic Walk aims to extend the sporting activity once they have passed the strict phases of rehabilitation, researchers, during the recent years, have demonstrated the importance of carrying out a kind of rehabilitation of a preventive nature: the “prehabilitation”, consisting in carrying out various activities that prepare the patient for surgery and provide a better recovery. Theinitiative, launched by the Institut Clínic de Malalties Digestives i Metabòliques, now joints the Institut Clínic Cardiovascular, which has implemented it since early September. The prehabilitation is an innovative concept that aims to anticipate and prepare the body. Among the actions contemplated, there are moderate and appropriate physical work for each patient, nutritional guidance, counseling and habituation with the incentive inspirometer, a device that patients should wear after surgery to improve his lung capacity. Hospital Clínic is one of the few centers offering a programme of this kind.

Nuria Millán, physiotherapist at Clínic, has experienced the change of mentality that has led to the incorporation of prehabilitation: “A month ago, we only rehabilitated after the surgery, but now we have seen that working before it works well and pactients feel better”.

Moreover, the Catalan Society of Cardiology, together with the Working Group for Rehabilitation and Secondary Prevention of Catalonia, organizes in Cotxeres Borbó various events to promote a heart-healthy lifestyle. Thursday September 29, 10:00 to 4:00 p.m. various activities such as lectures on cardiovascular risk factors or CPR workshops will take place.