[Ambulatory rehabilitation of cardiac patients in Switzerland]

In 1989, there were 21 rehabilitation clinics and 21 ambulatory cardiac rehabilitation programs in Switzerland. Approximately 3/4 of the cardiac rehabilitation programs are offered within rehabilitation clinics, which cater for 6000 patients. The first ambulatory cardiac rehabilitation program in Switzerland was instituted in 1972. Since then a continuous rise in the number and importance of such programs has been observed. There is a wide variety of program selection and intensity. All programs include physical activity, risk factor interventions and psychosocial support. The mean duration of the programs is 3 months, the range being from 6 weeks to a year. Evaluation after 8 years' existence of the ambulatory cardiac rehabilitation program at the Kantonspital Olten indicates that such a program in an out-patient setting in conjunction with a community hospital is feasible; it can be conducted with a high degree of safety and is followed by similar lifestyle changes to those observed after in patient rehabilitation at specialist clinics. The results with regard to cardiovascular risk factors and ability to return to work are comparable.