The World Heart Federation Roadmap outlines five key roadblocks and interconnected solutions to enhance equitable access and improve patient outcomes in cardiac rehabilitation globally.
This World Heart Federation Roadmap provides a strategic framework to enhance global access and implementation of cardiac rehabilitation for lifelong cardiovascular health.
With an ageing population and the persistence of unhealthy lifestyle behaviours, health-care systems are challenged by a growing number of individuals living longer with cardiovascular disease and its sequelae. The evolution of cardiac rehabilitation, from a group exercise-based programme to encompassing all aspects of secondary prevention, has led to the ultimate objective of achieving lifelong cardiovascular health for all. In this World Heart Federation Roadmap, we present a united and forward-looking vision to consolidate global and collaborative efforts that enhance equitable access, improve patient outcomes and ensure value-based health care. The Roadmap outlines a reframing of terminology and interconnected solutions founded on unity, person-centredness and being future-focused. The five key roadblocks and widely applicable solutions are interlinked and include having a greater emphasis on lifelong cardiovascular health, better engagement among patients and clinicians, a greater emphasis on new models of care, workforce strengthening and support for strong advocacy and policy. We present a series of practical solutions and successful international case studies. The next steps are to facilitate local and regional implementation and evaluation strategies. A shift to systems, policy and advocacy thinking is crucial for the sector, with a view to long-term investment to meet growing demands. This World Heart Federation Roadmap is endorsed by the International Council of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation.
“The Roadmap advocates for reframing cardiac rehabilitation from a simple exercise program to a comprehensive, life-long model of secondary prevention. It identifies five key roadblocks—including limited patient and clinician engagement, and outdated care models—and provides actionable, patient-centered solutions to ensure equitable access and long-term cardiovascular health.”
Redfern et al. (Mon,) conducted a review in Cardiovascular disease. Cardiac rehabilitation was evaluated. The World Heart Federation Roadmap outlines five key roadblocks and interconnected solutions to enhance equitable access and improve patient outcomes in cardiac rehabilitation globally.