Effects of a Pulmonary and Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Program

Effects of a Pulmonary and Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Program

Non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs) affect approximately 30% of the adult global population, significantly impacting respiratory function and quality of life. Pulmonary and cardiovascular rehabilitation has proven to be an effective therapeutic intervention for managing respiratory symptoms and cardiovascular and improving functional capacity in patients with chronic respiratory conditions. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of the pulmonary and cardiovascular rehabilitation program on users of the physical therapy service of CECOM of UNICAMP related to functional capacity, quality of life and respiratory variables after 3 months of the program. Candidates for the pulmonary rehabilitation program are users diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis, asthma or other lung disease. Candidates for the cardiovascular rehabilitation program are users diagnosed with: infarction (AMI), myocardial revascularization surgery, coronary angioplasty, stable angina, valve replacement, chronic heart failure and who meet the criteria for phase III of cardiovascular rehabilitation. They should be referred to physical therapy by the cardiologist with complementary exams and exercise test. The program's assessment will consist of: anamnesis, analysis and recording of complementary exams, physical assessment (weight, height, BMI, cardiac and pulmonary auscultation, blood pressure, heart rate, peripheral oxygen saturation, respiratory muscle strength), functional capacity (six-minute walk test) and quality of life (questionnaire). The program will include aerobic exercises on a treadmill or stationary bike with an intensity between 50-70% of the reserve HR, below the ischemic thresholds. It will also include peripheral muscle strength exercises for the upper and lower limbs, in addition to respiratory muscle training for lung disease patients.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Candidates for the pulmonary rehabilitation program: users diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis, asthma or other lung disease.
• Candidates for the cardiovascular rehabilitation program: users diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction, myocardial revascularization surgery, coronary angioplasty, stable angina, valve replacement, chronic heart failure and who meet the criteria for phase III of cardiovascular rehabilitation.
• Referral with medical clearance for rehabilitation

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with any contraindication to aerobic or muscle-strengthening physical exercise, such as significant arrhythmias, untreated heart disease, myocarditis, recent or untreated pulmonary embolism, and uncontrolled systemic arterial hypertension, among other conditions.