The role of maximal inspiratory pressure on functional performance in adults with heart failure.

Background: Exercise intolerance is common among adults with heart failure (HF) and is a strong prognostic indicator. We examined maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) as an indicator of maximal and submaximal exercise capacity in older HF patients.

Methods: Fifty-one patients age ≥ 50 years with HF underwent MIP testing via the PrO device.

Modified Application of Cardiac Rehabilitation in Older Adults (MACRO) Trial: Protocol changes in a pragmatic multi-site randomized controlled trial in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Older adults are at higher risk for cardiovascular disease and functional decline, often leading to deterioration and dependency. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) provides opportunity to improve clinical and functional recovery, yet participation in CR decreases with age. Modified Application of CR in Older Adults (MACRO) is a National Institute on Aging (NIA)-funded pragmatic trial that responds to this gap by aiming to increase enrollment of older adults into CR and improving functional outcomes.

Differences in Comorbid Conditions Among Older Adult Participants in Cardiac Rehabilitation.

Purpose: Most older adults eligible for cardiac rehabilitation (CR) do not participate or participate with low frequency, although it is a standard of care for patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Identifying the barriers to older adult participation is key in improving CR efficacy.

Methods: A range of patient characteristics was analyzed in relation to on-site frequency of participation in a CR program by older adult patients.

Cardiac Rehabilitation Is Associated With Improved Physical Function in Frail Older Adults With Cardiovascular Disease.

Purpose: Frailty is highly prevalent among older adults with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and is associated with greater than 2-fold risk for morbidity and mortality, independent of age and comorbidities. Many candidates are not referred to cardiac rehabilitation (CR) under the assumption that they are too frail to benefit. We hypothesized that CR is associated with similar benefits for frail adults as for intermediate-frail and nonfrail adults.

Enhancing Functional Risk Stratification in Contemporary Cardiac Rehabilitation: RESPONDING TO PATIENTS WHO ARE INCREASINGLY OLDER AND MORE PHYSICALLY IMPAIRED.

Purpose: Current American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation guidelines rely primarily on cardiovascular disease (CVD)-centered metrics to stratify risk and guide care. Yet, contemporary CVD patients are often older and are more likely to have risks attributable to rudimentary functional impairments that can have disproportionate bearing on management and prognosis. In this study, we stratified risk using novel indices of physical function as well as traditional indices of CVD in patients enrolling in phase II cardiac rehabilitation (CR).