Cardiovascular, pulmonary, and cancer rehabilitation. 1. General principles of cardiovascular rehabilitation

This self-directed learning module highlights advances in this topic area. It is part of the chapter on cardiovascular, pulmonary, and cancer rehabilitation for the Self-Directed Medical Knowledge Program Study Guide for practitioners and trainees in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. This section reviews the anatomy of the heart, physiology of exercise training, pathophysiology and clinical aspects of cardiac conditions frequently encountered in rehabilitation, cardiac evaluation techniques, physical conditioning for normal persons, and rehabilitation of the patient with heart disease. Advances that are covered in this section include indications for cardiac rehabilitation following coronary artery bypass graft compared with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and exercise testing and physical conditioning of patients on long-term beta-adrenergic blockade or with severe left ventricular dysfunction.