The role of physiotherapy in cardiac rehabilitation in Norway

Introduction: Cardiac rehabilitation is an interdisciplinary treatment in which the physiotherapist has a central role. The aim of this paper is to describe the organization of cardiac rehabilitation in Norway and to summarize the evidence with a focus on the role of the physiotherapist. Main part: A description of the phases of cardiac rehabilitation in Norway is presented. The focus is kept on the two major dominant patient groups: coronary heart disease and chronic heart failure. Additionally, the paper presents knowledge and experiences from other patient groups referred to cardiac rehabilitation. Conclusion: The physiotherapist is essential in the interdisciplinary team and is often the one following the patients over time. There is no doubt that exercise is a cornerstone of cardiac rehabilitation. However, cardiac rehabilitation is more than exercise, and the physiotherapist should have knowledge of various diagnoses to provide evidence-based follow-up.