Nursing Interventions in Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs for Post-Myocardial Infarction Patients: A Scoping Review

Nurses have an essential role in patient care and service coordination. The basic components of a cardiac rehabilitation program that can be adapted remain unknown, and lack of detailed description of the intervention techniques of nurses in cardiac rehabilitation.

In this study, our aim was to identify the main interventions in cardiac rehabilitation programs that nurses can offer after a myocardial infarction.

We conducted a scoping review and searched EBSCO, Scopus, and Cochrane databases. Only empirical studies published between 2005 and 2025 that described a cardiac rehabilitation program involving nurses were included. The intervention techniques by nurses in the cardiac rehabilitation program were classified, coded, and validated with the research team and categorized for analysis.

Sixteen articles were included. Three major models of cardiac rehabilitation were identified, which were supported by the intervention techniques offered by nurses: (1) individualized nurse follow-up, (2) cardiac rehabilitation program solicitations, and (3) use of technology. Categorized were program types: (1) early recruitment strategies, (2) technology-based device support, (3) multiple monitoring modes, and (4) surveillance and monitoring activities.

Several nursing technique interventions during cardiac rehabilitation were listed in the monitoring with multiple positive effects on health. Nurse monitoring can be offered with several components to facilitate follow-up. These different follow-up components allow the nurse to anticipate care issues and obstacles the patient may encounter throughout cardiac rehabilitation.

Nursing interventions described in this study could support the conceptualization of a cardiac rehabilitation program in remote areas.