Survey of cardiac rehabilitation centers in New York City

Out-patient cardiac rehabilitation centers in New York City were surveyed in order to determine current practices. All 24 centers operating as of May, 1987 were sent questionnaires; 16 responded for a return rate of 67 percent. In general, practices of the centers were in accord with guidelines of the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American College of Sports Medicine. The incidence of medical complications in the centers was quite rare, perhaps accounting for the failure of centers to follow all emergency guidelines of the AHA, such as daily testing of the defibrillator. The major aim of the centers was to enhance physiological status, rather narrowly defined as aerobic fitness and cardiovascular function. Little attention was paid to nutrition, body composition and strength, despite the fact that the value of broadening the concept of fitness to include these parameters is becoming evident. Lifestyle counseling to help in long-term rehabilitation was also rare. Third party payers should be encouraged to support such components of a rehabilitation program so that centers would be more likely to incorporate them.