Cardiac Rehabilitation in the United Kingdom 1985/86: A questionnaire survey

Abstract

Cardiac rehabilitation services in England were studied by a questionnaire sent to the superintendent physiotherapists in 132 Health Districts in England; 98 (70%) were returned, and 46 gave details of established programmes. Most programmes included post-infarction and post-cardiac surgery patients of both sexes. Twenty-six (56%) operated age limits, and most recognised cardiac and other medical contraindications to rehabilitation. Courses usually began within four weeks of infarction and lasted up to 12 weeks, being held once or twice a week. Only a minority (38%) carried out a formal stress test prior to entry, and only 25% had a regular medical presence during therapy. Despite this, only 12 cardiac arrests and five reinfarctions were recorded. With a total experience of at least 10,000 patients, this indicates the relative safety of this type of programme. However there was a noticeable lack of proper audit, and no formal follow-up by most centres. The implications of these findings in the face of continuing pressures to establish cardiac rehabilitation services are discussed. Cardiac rehabilitation services in England were studied by a questionnaire sent to the superintendent physiotherapists in 132 Health Districts in England; 98 (70%) were returned, and 46 gave details of established programmes. Most programmes included post-infarction and post-cardiac surgery patients of both sexes. Twenty-six (56%) operated age limits, and most recognised cardiac and other medical contraindications to rehabilitation. Courses usually began within four weeks of infarction and lasted up to 12 weeks, being held once or twice a week. Only a minority (38%) carried out a formal stress test prior to entry, and only 25% had a regular medical presence during therapy. Despite this, only 12 cardiac arrests and five reinfarctions were recorded. With a total experience of at least 10,000 patients, this indicates the relative safety of this type of programme. However there was a noticeable lack of proper audit, and no formal follow-up by most centres. The implications of these findings in the face of continuing pressures to establish cardiac rehabilitation services are discussed. Biography: Valerie Green qualified from Pinderfields College of Remedial Gymnastics in 1974. Her first job was at Farnham Park Rehabilitation Centre in Buckinghamshire, were she did a season advising on injuries with Wasps RUFC. In 1976 she moved to Victoria Hospital, Margate, for a short time, and then began working with Rochdale Health Authority in April 1976. She started at Rochdale Infirmary and moved on to Birch Hill Hospital where she was promoted in 1981 to senior physiotherapist, working in general medicine. Beverly J Stansfield trained at Bradford Hospitals School of Physiotherapy and qualified in 1978. She began her career with Rochdale Health Authority in 1978, and is now a senior physiotherapist at Birch Hill Hospital, specialising in rheumatology and rehabilitation. Dr C Davidson is consultant physician, with an interest in cardiology, appointed to Rochdale in 1976.