Cardiac rehabilitation after percutaneous coronary intervention – Evidence and barriers

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) represents a spectrum of interventions that influence physical, mental, and social well-being of an individual. These interventions can range from dietary counseling to intense physical activity. The role of CR in various cardiac disorders, particularly ischemic heart disease, has been well established across multiple studies. However, real-world utilization of CR still seems to lag behind. As coronary intervention modalities keep evolving with increasing number of patients receiving percutaneous coronary intervention, there is a need for reappraisal of the role of CR in this population. In this review, we discuss data behind the benefit of CR in patients with ischemic heart disease and highlight the barriers encountered in implementing CR in real-world practice.