Cardiac Rehabilitation Physiology Quiz

Cardiac Rehabilitation Physiology

Definition and Goals

• Cardiac rehabilitation is a medically supervised program designed to improve cardiovascular health in patients with heart disease or heart failure.
• Goals:
  • Improve exercise tolerance and functional capacity
  • Enhance overall health and well-being
  • Reduce symptoms and risk factors
  • Improve psychological well-being and quality of life

Physiological Response to Exercise

• Cardiovascular Response:
  • Increased heart rate and cardiac output
  • Enhanced stroke volume and ejection fraction
  • Improved vasodilation and decreased peripheral resistance
• Respiratory Response:
  • Increased ventilation and oxygen uptake
  • Enhanced gas exchange and diffusion
• Metabolic Response:
  • Increased glucose and fatty acid oxidation
  • Enhanced mitochondrial function and ATP production

Adaptations to Exercise Training

• Cardiovascular Adaptations:
  • Increased myocardial thickness and contractility
  • Enhanced coronary blood flow and vasodilation
  • Improved cardiac function and reduced cardiac workload
• Muscular Adaptations:
  • Increased muscle fiber size and strength
  • Enhanced mitochondrial function and oxidative capacity
  • Improved muscle endurance and fatigue resistance
• Neurohormonal Adaptations:
  • Reduced sympathetic nervous system activity
  • Enhanced parasympathetic nervous system activity
  • Improved baroreflex sensitivity and blood pressure regulation

Physiological Benefits of Cardiac Rehabilitation

• Improved Exercise Tolerance:
  • Increased peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak)
  • Enhanced exercise duration and intensity
• Reduced Symptoms:
  • Decreased dyspnea, fatigue, and angina
  • Improved overall health-related quality of life
• Reduced Morbidity and Mortality:
  • Decreased hospitalizations and readmissions
  • Improved survival rates and reduced cardiac mortality