Cardiac rehabilitation is linked with reduced mortality rates for patients  who have had stents to treat coronary blockages, U.S. researchers found.

Dr. Randal Thomas, a preventive cardiologist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., found patients who had coronary angioplasty -- stent placement, also known as percutaneous coronary  ntervention -- and participated afterward in a cardiac rehabilitation program

 had a 45 percent to 47 percent decrease in mortality compared to those who did not participate in a cardiac rehabilitation program.

"Patients need to know that once they've had a coronary artery stent placed, they are not cured," Thomas said in a statement.

UPI.com, 3/18/10

Tags: cardiac rehab, Cardiology, Dr. Randal Thomas, heart stent