Study guide
AACVPR CCRP study guide
Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction & Cardiac Rehabilitation Foundations
Chapter 2: Cardiovascular Anatomy, Physiology & Pathology
- 2.1 Cardiac Anatomy, Coronary Circulation & Hemodynamics
- 2.2 Atherosclerosis Pathogenesis, Acute Coronary Syndromes (ACS) & Revascularization
- 2.3 Heart Failure (HFrEF/HFpEF), Cardiomyopathies & Valvular Heart Disease
- 2.4 Electrical Interventions: Cardioversion, Catheter Ablation & Post-Procedure Rehabilitation
Chapter 3: Diagnostic Evaluation, ECG & Clinical Testing
Chapter 4: Patient-Centered Assessment: Education, Equity & Social Context
- 4.1 Learning Readiness: Health Literacy, Learning Styles & Communication Barriers
- 4.2 Social Determinants of Health, Culture & Spirituality in Cardiac Rehab
- 4.3 Sex- and Race-Based Differences in Cardiovascular Presentation & Outcomes
- 4.4 Substance Use Screening: Alcohol, Cannabis, Stimulants & Cardiac Risk
Chapter 5: Exercise Prescription & Aerobic Conditioning
Chapter 6: Exercise Physiology, Monitoring & Session Design
- 6.1 Health-Related Physical Fitness Components & Functional Capacity Testing
- 6.2 Acute Cardiovascular Responses to Aerobic Exercise: METs, Rate Pressure Product & VO₂
- 6.3 Chronic Training Adaptations in Cardiac Patients
- 6.4 Structuring the Exercise Session: Warm-Up, Conditioning & Cool-Down
- 6.5 ECG Telemetry Setup: Skin Preparation, Electrode Placement & Artifact Troubleshooting
- 6.6 Pulse Oximetry, Exertional Desaturation & Supplemental Oxygen Titration
Chapter 7: Resistance, Flexibility & Exercise Safety
Chapter 8: Physical Activity Counseling & Behavior Change
Chapter 9: Physical Activity Assessment & Real-World Activity Counseling
- 9.1 Physical Activity vs Exercise: Assessment Instruments, Logs & Wearables
- 9.2 Metabolic Requirements of Daily Life: Occupational, Recreational & Sexual Activity
- 9.3 Environmental & Situational Risk: Heat, Cold, Altitude, Air Quality & High-Risk Activities
- 9.4 Upper- vs Lower-Body Physiologic Demands & Modality Selection
Chapter 10: Hypertension & Blood Pressure Regulation
- 10.1 2017 ACC/AHA Hypertension Classification & Cardiovascular Risk
- 10.2 Antihypertensive Pharmacology & Exercise Hemodynamics
- 10.3 Exertional Blood Pressure Dynamics, Exertional Hypotension & Crisis
- 10.4 Home Blood Pressure Monitoring, Sodium Restriction & Lifestyle Interventions
- 10.5 Blood Pressure Measurement Technique, Device Validation & Renal Protection
Chapter 11: Diabetes Mellitus & Metabolic Regulation
- 11.1 Diabetes Pathophysiology, Diagnostic Criteria & Glycemic Targets
- 11.2 Antidiabetic Pharmacotherapy (Insulin, Sulfonylureas, SGLT2i, GLP-1 RA)
- 11.3 Exercise-Induced Hypoglycemia Management (Rule of 15) & Hyperglycemia
- 11.4 Diabetic Complications & Exercise Adaptations (Autonomic & Peripheral Neuropathy)
- 11.5 Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring, CGM Interpretation & Peri-Exercise Testing
- 11.6 Diabetic Foot Care, Skin Integrity & Footwear Assessment
Chapter 12: Blood Lipid Management & Atherosclerosis Prevention
Chapter 13: Medical Nutrition Therapy & Dietary Patterns
Chapter 14: Body Composition & Weight Management
Chapter 15: Tobacco Cessation Interventions
Chapter 16: Psychosocial Health, Screening & Behavioral Support
- 16.1 Psychosocial Risk Factors & Prognostic Impact in Heart Disease
- 16.2 Validated Screening Instruments: PHQ-9, GAD-7 & Administration
- 16.3 Evidence-Based Interventions: Stress Management, CBT Principles & Social Support
- 16.4 Crisis Protocols, Suicidal Ideation & Mental Health Referral Pathways
- 16.5 Psychotropic Pharmacology & Cardiac Safety
- 16.6 Sleep Disturbance, Chronic Pain & Somatic Comorbidity in Psychosocial Management
Chapter 17: Regulatory Compliance, Documentation & Program Outcomes
- 17.1 CMS Coverage Guidelines, Qualifying Diagnoses & Practitioner Supervision
- 17.2 Individualized Treatment Plan (ITP) Components, 30-Day Updates & Goals
- 17.3 AACVPR Outcome Domains & Program Certification Performance Measures
- 17.4 Program Certification, Quality Improvement & Medical Emergency Preparedness