Current status of cardiovascular rehabilitation in Colombia (2010)

INTRODUCTION: cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in many countries around the world, including Colombia. Thus, cardiovascular rehabilitation becomes a secondary prevention strategy with integral and cost-effective intervention for these patients. OBJECTIVE: to assess the current status of cardiac rehabilitation programs in Colombia. METHODS: a descriptive study, carried out through a written questionnaire, applied to the coordinator and/or responsible for each cardiac rehabilitation program in the country. RESULT ANALYSIS: 44 of 49 centers contacted answered the questionnaire. 88.6% of the programs belonging to the private network and 6.8% to the public; 75% work within a hospital or clinic and 25% are outpatient. Coronary heart disease is the main pathology that generates the referral of patients to cardiovascular rehabilitation centers. Human resources are variable in their shape, stay and activities within the program. All centers perform phase II, followed by stages III (84.1%), I (70.5%) and IV (45.5%). 58% of the programs always include diagnostic tests for conventional risk factors (total cholesterol and fractions, triglycerides and glucose), 97.7% of the programs referred to assess the patient in a holistic manner including aspects of nutrition and physical activity; however, a lower percentage of implementation of the management of smoking (45.5%), of cardiovascular health programs in women (15.95%), cardiovascular prevention for the community (18.2%), testing detection of depression (25%), sleep apnea (0%) and six minute walk (65.9%) was noticed. The main barrier identified in the care of patients corresponds to the lack of referral by the treating physician (65.9%). CONCLUSION: the development of cardiac rehabilitation programs in the country should be assessed according to the cardiovascular morbidity and mortality rates, risk stratification of patients, access to the service and the most important results of this study, thereby making necessary to work on defining the baselines of the requirements of the programs that encourage work and interdisciplinary and integral approach as well as the fulfillment of the objectives, giving priority to patient safety.