Kenneth R. Melvin, MD, FRCPC, Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Cardiology, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.
Lindsay J. Melvin, Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON.

The increasing average age of natural survival and effective therapies for many previously fatal illnesses have increased the older adult population. Thus, there is a concomitant increase in long-term treatment requirements for many conditions, including chronic angina pectoris. Advances in nonsurgical interventions include angioplasty and stent technology. The medical treatment of angina should be individualized to the patient and usually involves multiple-drug regimens. Mainstays of therapy include acetylsalicylic acid and nitroglycerin 0.4 mg spray with combinations of long-acting nitrates, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and the ancillary use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and statins. Risk reduction involves controlling modifiable factors, including smoking, weight control, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia; this will reduce disease progression and cardiac event occurrences. Older adults should be monitored for drug interactions and sensitivity to medication in the presence of associated medical problems and other therapies. Cardiac rehabilitation programs are a useful addition to comprehensive medical treatments for chronic stable angina.
Key words: angina, antianginal drug therapy, risk reduction, cardiac rehabilitation, percutaneous coronary intervention, PCI.

Terence Kavanagh, MD, FRCPC, DSc(Hon), Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine; Professor, Graduate School of Exercise Science, Faculty of Physical Education and Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.

Coronary heart disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in older patients. For this population cardiac rehabilitation offers an improvement in functional capacity, alleviation of symptoms, enhanced mood state and quality of life, and a modification of coronary risk factors. The components of a comprehensive programme specific to older adults are the same as for younger patients, with exercise training the mainstay. However, the changes that accompany the aging process require some modification in both the aerobic and resistance exercise programmes. Unfortunately, the referral rate of older patients, particularly women, is poor. Hopefully, this could be rectified if physicians come to realize that this segment of the population is the most likely to benefit from cardiac rehabilitation.
Key words: cardiac rehabilitation, aging, exercise training, coronary heart disease, referral patterns.

The accredited CME learning activity based on this article is offered under the auspices of the CE department of the University of Toronto. Participating physicians are entitled to one (1) MAINPRO-M1 credit by completing this program, found online at www.geriatricsandaging.ca/cme

Secondary prevention has been shown to decrease coronary artery disease morbidity and mortality by 20-25%. Exercise, smoking cessation, and management of dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, and obesity, along with psychological therapies, are typical elements of secondary prevention programs offered by a multidisciplinary clinical team often including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, exercise physiologists, registered dieticians, and psychologists. Special considerations for older adults in a secondary prevention setting in reference to medications, exercise, diet, smoking cessation, and hypertension are addressed. Current practice guidelines and clinical trials are presented, along with practical tools for the primary care physician treating the older coronary artery disease patient.
Key words: multidisciplinary, cardiac rehabilitation, coronary artery disease, secondary prevention.

Jaye Waggoner, BAA

Heart disease and stroke are the top killers of Canadians. There are currently more than 500 cardiovascular disease-related research studies underway in Canada, in an effort to reduce the numbers who succumb to these conditions.

Despite the statistics, not all are doomed to a date with a heart attack. Even those who have already fallen victim to some aspect of heart disease can turn their health around with the right professional help. This help can be found at Cardiac Rehabilitation Centres, through the varied rehabilitation programs that they and other organizations offer.

Although the focus has changed since its doors opened in 1922, when its main function was meeting the rehabilitation needs of Canadians wounded in the First World War, The Toronto Rehabilitation Centre is still striving to help patients. The Centre has since split in half, with the Toronto Cardiac Rehabilitation Centre now specializing in recovery for heart patients. It was the first of its kind and is today the largest centre of its kind in North America.

Accepting referrals, the Centre's mandate is to assist cardiac patients to reach their "optimal physical, cognitive, functional and social potential and in doing so to improve their quality of life.