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Home-Based Cardiac Rehab Reduces Mortality Risk for Veterans by 36%
Medically reviewed by Jerome Albert Ecker | MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Duke University - Durham, NC on January 8th, 2025.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association has found that military veterans who participated in a home-based cardiac rehabilitation program had a 36% lower risk of death within four years compared to those who opted out of the program. Cardiac rehabilitation is a customized program of education and exercise designed to help people recover from heart-related problems, and it can be done either at a medical facility or at home.
What is Cardiac Rehabilitation?
Cardiac rehabilitation is a program that helps people recover from heart-related problems, such as a heart attack, heart surgery, or angioplasty. The program typically includes:
Education about heart health and lifestyle changes
Exercise training to improve cardiovascular fitness
Counseling to help manage stress and emotions
Support to help make healthy lifestyle changes
Cardiac rehab can be done at a medical facility or at home, depending on the individual's needs and preferences.
The Study
The study included 1,120 military veterans who were deemed eligible for cardiac rehab. About half of the participants had undergone angioplasty, a procedure to improve blood flow in the heart's arteries. Of the total participants, 490 (44%) chose to participate in a 12-week home-based rehab program.
The home-based program featured up to nine coaching calls and motivational interviewing sessions. Participants also received a workbook, a health journal, a blood pressure monitor, a scale, and (if desired) a stationary bike. A nurse or exercise physiologist helped each person create realistic activity goals.
The Results
Over a median follow-up of 4.2 years, the death rate was 36% lower among participants who completed the home-based cardiac rehab program compared with those who didn't choose to do rehab.
The results of this study highlight the importance of cardiac rehabilitation for veterans and the effectiveness of home-based programs in reducing mortality risk. According to the American Heart Association, cardiac rehab can help improve cardiovascular fitness, reduce symptoms, and improve quality of life for people with heart-related problems.
Conclusion
If you are a veteran with a heart-related problem, participating in a cardiac rehabilitation program can significantly reduce your risk of death and improve your overall health and well-being. Talk to your healthcare provider about whether a home-based or facility-based program is right for you. For more information about cardiac rehabilitation, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the National Institutes of Health.
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