Diseases of the Heart

This chapter outlines the concepts related to best practices for the management of individuals with life-limiting cardiac diseases. Concepts described include incidence and mortality globally and specific to the United States; disease characteristics including diagnostic criteria, classification systems, typical symptom presentation; common interventions including surgical management; and early and late-stage disease presentation. Conditions such as heart failure and myocardial infarction are detailed as well as events such as cardiac arrest and sudden cardiac death. Management strategies for the zones of heart failure are also addressed from the perspective of the rehabilitation clinician.