Cardiology>>>>>Cardiac Rehabilitation
Question 13#

A newly qualified physiotherapist has started working on the cardiology ward and is interested in the exercise component of cardiac rehabilitation. 

Which one of the following statements would give correct information about the structured exercise component of the CR programme?

A. Exercise sessions should involve low to moderate intensity activity at least five times a week for a minimum of 12 weeks
B. Patients should be prescribed an individualized exercise regime
C. Patients should not undertake resistance training
D. Exercise sessions usually last  hour including an aerobic phase for 45 minutes and a period of relaxation
E. Patients should be advised to aim for a perceived level of exertion of >15 on the Borg Scale

Correct Answer is B

Comment:

Exercise sessions should involve moderate-intensity aerobic activity at least twice a week for a minimum of 8 weeks. Resistance training is an integral part of rehabilitation exercise. Exercise sessions usually last for 1 hour including a 10–15-minute warm up, an aerobic phase for 20–30 minutes, and a 10-minute cool-down. Patients should be prescribed an individualized exercise regime. Exercise intensity can be monitored using a pulse monitor or by manual pulse-taking, and looking at a percentage of the acquired maximal heart rate or estimated maximal age-predicated heart rate. Rating of perceived level of exertion is encouraged using the Borg Scale (either the 6–20 scale or the CR10 scale). When using the Borg Scale, low to moderate exertion corresponds to a score of 11–13 (4–6); a score of 15 (7) or more would indicate a high level of exertion.