Comprehensive Cardiac Rehabilitation Feasibility After Stroke

Inclusion criteria

• Age ≥ 18 years
• Patient has suffered an ischemic stroke
• Patient should be ambulatory (non-disabling stroke) to be able to participate in the CCR exercise program
• Patient is able to start cardiac rehabilitation within 2 weeks of stroke

Exclusion criteria

• No baseline (index admission for ischemic stroke) MRI completed
• Life expectancy < 1-year
• Presence of brain hemorrhage: intracerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, subdural hematoma, or epidural hematoma
• Concurrent diagnosis of seizure disorder
• Patient with moderate or severe neurologic deficits, limiting their ability to participate in the CCR exercise program
• Cardiopulmonary conditions preventing the patient from participation, such as severe heart failure, severe aortic stenosis, and exercise-induced asthma
• Patient with cognitive dysfunction impairing their ability to follow directions
• Anticipated procedures such as carotid stenting, carotid endarterectomy, and intracranial aneurysm coiling
• Patient unable to commit to the frequent visits of the CCR program
• Participation in other interventional research (observational research is allowed)
• Unable to have brain MRI
• Non-English speaker
• Pregnant women