Heart attack: What hopes, expectations and fears do patients associate with rehabilitation?

My personal motivation for writing this book stems from my professional background, as I work in a cardiovascular rehabilitation centre. Of particular importance was gaining an understanding of the expectations, hopes and fears of patients who have suffered a heart attack, once they begin their rehabilitation programme. It was concluded that a modified approach to cardiac rehabilitation should be adopted in Austria, as patients desire not only excellent care for their physical problems but also more intensive medical attention and support for their psychological concerns. This form of care, known as psychocardiology, which takes a more holistic view of the patient, has been successfully established in the Federal Republic of Germany for many years and should also be introduced in Austrian rehabilitation centres.