Cardiac rehabilitation

Cardiac rehabilitation

Cardiac rehabilitation (rehab) is a supervised program that uses exercise, education, and support to help people recover from a heart attack, heart surgery, or other heart problems. Cardiac rehab programs are medically supervised and individually designed based on a person's needs and overall health.

A rehab program helps people:

  • Reduce the risk of dying of heart disease.
  • Reduce cardiac risk factors, such as increased weight, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking.
  • Control symptoms of heart disease.
  • Be more active.
  • Improve their quality of life.
  • Return to their usual activities, including work.

Credits

Author Robin Parks, MS
Editor Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor Pat Truman
Primary Medical Reviewer Caroline S. Rhoads, MD
- Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Cheryl Allind, RN, BS
- Cardiac Rehabilitation
Specialist Medical Reviewer Neil J. Stone, MD, FACC, FACP
- Internal Medicine, Cardiology
Last Updated October 16, 2006