Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation: Reducing risks and improving lives

This comprehensive meta-analysis reviews the effectiveness of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in reducing risks associated with coronary heart disease (CHD). By analyzing data from 85 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 23,430 participants, the study demonstrates that exercise-based CR is effective in significantly lowering cardiovascular mortality by 26% and reducing hospitalizations by 23%, with an NNT of 37 for both outcomes. Additionally, CR lowers the risk of recurrent myocardial infarction by 18%, supporting its role as a key intervention in CHD management. However, CR does not significantly impact overall mortality rates, coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

The benefits of CR extend beyond physical health, with evidence showing improved health-related quality of life (HRQoL), particularly in mental and physical health domains. The economic analysis also supports CR as a cost-effective intervention, reducing healthcare costs in many cases compared to standard care. The study emphasizes the importance of accessibility, noting that the benefits of CR are consistent across various demographics, healthcare settings, and countries, including low- and middle-income countries.

In conclusion, exercise-based CR is an integral part of CHD management that offers significant health benefits and economic advantages, advocating for its broader adoption globally to improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare burdens.