Cardiac Risk Factors in Exercise Prescription

According to the CDC, more than half a billion people worldwide are affect by cardiovascular disease which accounted for 20.5 million deaths in 2021. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortalityworldwide. Exercise training and physical activity have been shown to decrease cardiovascular risk factors and even to improve heart health. Exercise prescription is an important tool in the belt for physical and occupational therapists. When starting an exercise program, it is frequently important for a patient with cardiovascular disease to be guided by healthcare professionals with expertise in anatomy, physiology, exercise physiology, normal exercise response, and monitoring of exercise/activity response to interventions. Many medications to treat cardiovascular disease as well as many advanced heart failure interventions can augment abody's normal response to exercise. Advanced heart failure interventions may also affect the ability to safely monitor a patient's response to activity resulting in a need for use of interventions other than heart rate, blood pressure and pulse oxygenation for monitoring exercise safety. It is also important for patients with cardiovascular disease to be educated on safe vital signs for activity, normal exercise response, andmethods of self-monitoring response to exercise to ensure safety.

This workshop will provide a refresher on normal vital signs, expected response to exercise and activity in a healthy individual, potential abnormal responses in individuals withcardiovascular disease, alternative methods for monitoring exertional intensity of exercise programs and key patient education related to exercise. Attendees will also review the components of the exercise prescription, evidence-basedactivity recommendations for combating chronic medical conditions as well as evidence supporting certain exercise program such as strength training, high intensity interval training, and traditional Chinese or Indian based exercise modalities. Case study examples of exercise implementation across the care continuum will enhance learning. Immediatelyupon your return to the bedside, you will be more confident in exercise prescription and monitoring of individuals with cardiovascular disease.

Highlights

• Build expertise in creating effective exercise programs forpatients with cardiac disease, including the safe integration of high-intensity interval training (HIIT)
• Optimize patient outcomes through effective monitoring, assessment, and documentation
• Strengthen interprofessional teamwork by understandingthe impact of cardiac medications on exercise and identifying alternative exercise intensity measures.

Target Audience: Physical Therapists, Physical Therapist Assistants, Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapy Assistants, Athletic Trainers