Dr. Sri Nuvvula, Dr. Adrian C. Chen and Dr. Amgad N. Makaryus brought us Traditional and Virtual Cardiac Rehabilitation: Understanding the Changing Landscape of Cardiac Rehabilitation and the Implications on Patient Outcomes (https://www.imrpress.com/journal/RCM/26/10/10.31083/RCM42725) in RCM Volume 26, Issue 10.

Dr. Amgad N. Makaryus

We are honored to invite Dr. Amgad N. Makaryus to interpret the article. Dr. Makaryus grew up in New York and completed medical school training at the State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center in 2000. Dr. Makaryus is board-certified in internal medicine and cardiology. He also received certification from the National Board of Echocardiography, Certification Board of Nuclear Cardiology, Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography, and level II training in cardiac MRI. He is a founding member of the Society of Cardiovascular CT, a fellow of the American College of Cardiology, a member of the American Heart Association, the American Society of Echocardiography, the North American Society of Cardiovascular Imaging, and the American College of Physicians.

Dr. Makaryus has authored over 250 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters. His research interests include the ideal application and integration of cardiovascular imaging into the appropriate diagnosis and management of patients with and at risk for cardiovascular disease.

 

Author's Interpretation

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a Class I guideline-recommended therapy for patients following major cardiovascular events and interventions, including myocardial infarction, coronary revascularization procedures, valve surgery, heart transplantation, peripheral arterial disease, and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Robust evidence demonstrates that CR reduces mortality and hospital readmissions, improves functional capacity, enhances risk factor control, and significantly improves quality of life. Effective CR programs typically integrate personalized assessment, combined aerobic and resistance exercise training, nutritional guidance, risk factor management, and psychosocial support. Patient progress is commonly evaluated using measures such as the six-minute walk test, metabolic equivalents, and quality-of-life assessments, with monitored programs demonstrating strong safety profiles across diverse patient populations.

Despite its proven benefits, CR remains significantly underutilized due to barriers such as limited program availability, geographic access gaps, transportation challenges, socioeconomic limitations, and under-referral—particularly among women and underserved populations. Expanding access through system-level strategies such as automatic referral processes, structured discharge planning, and enhanced clinician advocacy can improve participation rates. Virtual cardiac rehabilitation, supported by telehealth platforms, wearable monitoring devices, and remote coaching, provides outcomes comparable to traditional center-based programs in exercise capacity, blood pressure control, and body composition. Hybrid delivery models combining in-person and remote sessions may further improve accessibility and adherence. Ongoing research is expected to clarify long-term outcomes and support expansion of CR into additional patient populations and clinical indications.

 

Original Article

Traditional and Virtual Cardiac Rehabilitation: Understanding the Changing Landscape of Cardiac Rehabilitation and the Implications on Patient Outcomes: https://www.imrpress.com/journal/RCM/26/10/10.31083/RCM42725

 

Related Articles:

Utility of Cardiac Rehabilitation Following Surgical Treatment of Infective Endocarditis: https://www.imrpress.com/journal/RCM/26/12/10.31083/RCM45789

Dynamics of HDL-Cholesterol Following a Post-Myocardial Infarction Cardiac Rehabilitation Program: https://www.imrpress.com/journal/RCM/26/1/10.31083/RCM25399