Impact of Cardiac Rehabilitation on Survival After Acute Myocardial Infarction: Literature review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62827/fb.v27i2.1148Keywords:
Cardiac Rehabilitation; Myocardial Infarction; Survival; Mortality; Secondary Prevention.Abstract
Introduction: Acute myocardial infarction remains an important cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Cardiac rehabilitation is recommended as a secondary prevention strategy. Objective: To describe the impact of cardiac rehabilitation on survival among patients after acute myocardial infarction. Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted in the MEDLINE database through PubMed and Biblioteca Virtual de Saude (BVS), between December 2025 and March 2026, including publications from 2010 to 2025 in Portuguese and English. The review was guided by the following research question: whether, in adult patients after acute myocardial infarction, participation in cardiac rehabilitation programs is associated with improved survival. The search strategy identified 805 records, of which 682 remained after application of eligibility filters. After removal of 343 duplicates, 339 studies were screened based on titles and abstracts. Twenty-eight full-text articles were assessed for eligibility, and six was included in the final analysis. Additionally, two relevant clinical guidelines were identified through manual search, resulting in a total of eight studies included in the final analysis. Results: Participation in structured cardiac rehabilitation programs was associated with reduced all-cause mortality, fewer hospital readmissions, and improved functional capacity and quality of life, with evidence suggesting maintenance of these benefits in the medium and long term. Conclusion: Cardiac rehabilitation demonstrates a consistent positive impact on survival after myocadial infarction, consolidating its role as an essential component of secondary prevention. Expanding access and promoting adherence may enhance its benefits in clinical practice.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Mandy Guo, Geicimara Emanuele da Silva Gomes, Guilherme Escuin Gonçalves Moreira (Autor)
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