Cardiac Rehabilitation Following Acute Coronary Syndrome in Women

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Public Health
• Women's Health

Background:

• Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) significantly impacts women's health and quality of life.
• Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a guideline-recommended intervention proven to reduce mortality and morbidity in ACS patients, including women.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the underutilization of CR among women with ACS.
• To identify barriers preventing women's referral, enrollment, and adherence to CR programs.
• To advocate for strategies that improve CR accessibility and effectiveness for women.

Main Methods:

• This is an opinion statement based on existing clinical knowledge and guidelines.
• Analysis of common barriers to CR referral and participation in women.
• Review of potential strategies to mitigate under-use and improve CR outcomes.

Main Results:

• Women are significantly less likely to be referred to, enroll in, and adhere to CR programs compared to men.
• Key barriers include lack of physician encouragement, patient preferences against fatigue/pain, transportation issues, comorbidities, and caregiving responsibilities.
• Current strategies to improve CR uptake in women are not widely implemented.

Conclusions:

• Despite proven benefits, CR is underused by women with ACS.
• Systematic early referral, tailored program design (e.g., incorporating social interaction, varied activities), and flexible delivery models are crucial.
• Enhanced provider encouragement and improved accessibility are essential to ensure women benefit from CR, improving their long-term quality of life.