Chapter  17:  Cardiac Rehabilitation: Clinical Guideline Number 17

The Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR) was established in December 1989 under Public Law 101-239 (Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989) to enhance the quality, appropriateness, and effectiveness of health care services and access to these services. AHCPR carries out its mission by conducting and supporting general health services research, including medical effectiveness research, facilitating development of clinical practice guidelines, and disseminating research findings and guidelines to health care providers, policymakers, and the public.

The legislation also established within AHCPR the Office of the Forum for Quality and Effectiveness in Health Care (the Forum). The Forum has primary responsibility for facilitating the periodic review, and updating of clinical practice guidelines. The guidelines will assist practitioners in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and management of clinical conditions.

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) supports biomedical research and patient and professional education on health care. NHLBI has coordinated development of several professionally oriented clinical guidelines, including ones on high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol, and collaborated with AHCPR in supporting a clinical practice guideline on unstable angina. Recognizing the importance of cardiac rehabilitation, NHLBI has again collaborated with AHCPR as a partner in the development of this clinical practice guideline.

Guidelines are available in formats suitable for health care practitioners, the scientific community, educators, and consumers. AHCPR invites comments and suggestions from users for consideration in development and updating of future guidelines. Please send written comments to Director, Office of the Forum for Quality and Effectiveness in Health Care, AHCPR, Willco Building, Suite 310, 6000 Executive Boulevard, Rockville, MD 20852.