RESUMO
Modern cardiac rehabilitation represents a structured, multicomponent program, which includes physical activity, education of the patient, modification of the health behavior, and psychological and social support. In EU countries, only 44.8% of patients with ischemic heart disease receive a recommendation to participate in any form of rehabilitation, and only 36.5% of all patients presently have an access to any rehabilitation program. Systematic analysis of programs for prevention of cardiovascular diseases and for rehabilitation in patients with myocardial infarction (MI) and percutaneous coronary intervention showed that complex programs can still reduce all-cause and cardiovascular mortality and frequency of recurrent MI and stroke. These programs include key components of cardiac rehabilitation, reduction of six or more risk factors, and effective control by drug therapy.