Exercise training and comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation in older cardiac patients

Cardiovascular disease is highly prevalent in older adults, and hospitalization from an acute cardiac event can lead to functional decline and frailty. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a multidisciplinary program to help counteract the deleterious effects of an acute cardiac event and has been shown to lower cardiovascular mortality and hospitalization in older adults. Despite its benefits, CR is underutilized by older adults. CR can provide a unique opportunity to optimize physical function in older adults by tailoring care such that exercise training, nutrition, and care alignment all align to help mitigate frailty and decrease vulnerability to disability.