Dear Colleagues,

 

    Advances in a correct management of population health, over the past few decades, have led to an unprecedented increase in life expectancy, successfully exceeding 80 years. Most of these progresses largely depend on better diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Long life, however, does not necessary mean better life. In fact, the senescence can be associated to an increase in disability, for the presence of comorbidities impacting the functional autonomy in the daily living.

    The importance of the correct management of CVD and non-cardiovascular comorbidities is now emerging as the new target for clinicians. As well, the cardiovascular rehabilitation (CR), defined as a planned exercise training, risk-factor evaluation, limitation of dangerous habits and behavioural intervention (e.g. physical activity, vocational and nutritional counselling, psychosocial support) has demonstrated to significant improve the cardiorespiratory fitness and quality of life, in most of the CVD. One of the great challenges for implementing more personalized treatments and the clinical decision-making is to evidence the connection among CR and CVD.

Goal of this issue: 

    This special issue is aiming to develop the importance of Cardiovascular Rehabilitation, independently by Cardiovascular Diseases, examining:

(1) the impact on epidemiology, pathogenesis and biomarkers of CV rehabilitative interventions and its contribution to the correct management of CVD treatments;

(2) the co-management of concurrent conditions;

(3) the analyses of current evidence with narrative/systematic review and meta-analyses;

(4) the translation of emerging evidence, also by the use of innovative technologies and strategies;

(5) the service continuum of CR: teams, services in clinical settings, the rehabilitative programmes according the FITT principles (frequency, intensity, time, type of exercise);

(6) the targets of CR: the principles guiding the programmes of treatment and the key components, also in terms of International Classification of Functioning, the health continuum and its transition points.

 

Fusco Augusto and Dr. Snehil Dixit

Guest Editors