My WebMD Sign In

Please enter email address

Enter your password

Keep me signed in on this computer

Show more Information

If you select "Keep me signed in on this computer", every time you visit WebMD.com you won't have to type your email address and password. This means that a cookie will stay on your computer even when you exit or close your browser which may reduce your levels of privacy and security. You should never select this option if you're using a publicly accessible computer, or if you're sharing a computer with others. Even if you select this option there are some features of our site that still require you to log in for privacy reasons.

Forget your password? Having trouble signing in?

Why should I
sign up for WebMD?

With a WebMD Account you can:

Track your way to weight loss success
Manage your family's vaccinations
Join the conversation

See more benefits Sign Up

Why WebMD?

My WebMD

Show Menu

Facebook Twitter Pinterest

WebMD Home

Heart Health Center

Heart Disease Health Center

Email a Friend

Print Article

Heart Disease Health Center

Tools & Resources

Font Size

Cardiac Rehabilitation and Coronary Artery Disease

Cardiac rehabilitation (rehab) is a program for people who have recently had a heart attack or heart surgery or who have other heart problems. Cardiac rehab is designed to help people recover more quickly and more fully from their heart attack or surgery, improve their health and quality of life, and return to their normal daily routine.

Cardiac rehab often involves a team of health professionals, including a cardiologist, nurses, exercise specialists, physical therapists, dietitians, and others.

Recommended Related to Heart Disease

Five Super Foods for Your Heart

This "powerhouse" tops the list, says Kathleen Zelman, MPH, RD/LD, WebMD's director of nutrition. And Lisa Hark, PhD, RD, says, "Blueberries are not only delicious but are also rich in antioxidants." Hark is co-author, with Darwin Deen, MD, of Nutrition for Life: The No-Nonsense, No-Fad Approach to Eating Well and Reaching Your Healthy Weight. According to the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, researchers believe that the antioxidants in blueberries work to reduce the buildup of "bad" LDL cholesterol...

Read the Five Super Foods for Your Heart article > >

Rehabilitation consists of carefully planned exercise, strength training, and proper nutrition, all of which are based on your personal level of fitness and the condition of your heart. Exercise is designed to help you regain your strength and improve your heart health. Education and support are also important components of a cardiac rehab program that may help you learn to deal with the stress and emotional issues of rehabilitation.

Besides improving your heart and muscle strength, cardiac rehabilitation may also help lower your cholesterol level, blood pressure, and weight, and it likely will improve your sense of well-being.

For more information, see the topic Cardiac Rehabilitation.

By	Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer	E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	John A. McPherson, MD, FACC, FSCAI - Cardiology
Last Revised	May 10, 2010

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: May 10, 2010

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.