[Cardiac rehabilitation. Its historical evolution and current situation]

Cardiac rehabilitation is a part of secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases. It started as physical exercise programmes after the acceptance of the early mobilization of myocardial infarction patients. The programmes and recommendations of the World Health Organization, reported in 1964 and thereafter, expanded the development of cardiac rehabilitation and on that time, the first clinical studies were published. Later on, some randomized clinical trials were reported, but their results were not conclusive. Recently, a meta-analysis showed a reduction on mortality of 20-25% after cardiac rehabilitation programmes. The WHO Office at present, recommends the inclusion of rehabilitation programmes onto the secondary prevention measures for cardiac patients. The implementation of such programmes in our country must be considered as very necessary and beneficial.