Cardiac rehabilitation (rehab) is a medically supervised program to help people who have

• A heart attack
• Angioplasty or coronary artery bypass grafting for coronary heart disease
• A heart valve repair or replacement
• A heart transplant or a lung transplant
• Angina
• Heart failure

The goal is to help you return to an active life, and to reduce the risk of further heart problems. A team of specialists will create a plan for you that includes exercise training, education on heart healthy living, and counseling to reduce stress. You will learn how to reduce your risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, depression, and diabetes. Being overweight, having obesity, smoking, and not exercising are other risk factors.

Cardiac rehabilitation is an important program for anyone recovering from a heart attack, heart failure, or other heart problem that required surgery or medical care.

Cardiac rehabilitation is a supervised program that includes:

• Physical activity.
• Education about healthy living, including how to eat healthy, take medicine as prescribed, and quit smoking.
• Counseling to find ways to relieve stress and improve mental health.

A team of people may help you through cardiac rehabilitation, including your health care team, exercise and nutrition specialists, physical therapists, and counselors.

Anyone who has had a heart problem, such as a heart attack, heart failure, or heart surgery, can benefit from cardiac rehabilitation. Studies have found that cardiac rehabilitation helps men and women, people of all ages, and people with mild, moderate, and severe heart problems.

However, some people are less likely to start or finish a cardiac rehabilitation program, including:

• Studies show that women, especially minority women, are less likely than men to start or complete cardiac rehabilitation. This may be because doctors may be less likely to suggest cardiac rehabilitation to women.
• Older adults. Older adults are also less likely to join a cardiac rehabilitation program following a heart problem. They may think they are unable to do the physical activity because of their age, or they may have other conditions that can make exercising harder, such as arthritis. The need to address other physical conditions makes cardiac rehabilitation especially useful for older adults, since it can improve strength and mobility to make daily tasks easier.

Cardiac rehabilitation can have many health benefits in both the short and long term, including:

• Strengthening your heart and body after a heart attack.
• Relieving symptoms of heart problems, such as chest pain.
• Building healthier habits such as getting more physical activity, quitting smoking, and eating a heart-healthy diet. A nutritionist or dietitian may work with you to help you limit foods with unhealthy fats and eat more fruits and vegetables that are high in vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
• Reducing stress.
• Improving your mood. People are more likely to feel depressed after a heart attack. Cardiac rehabilitation can help prevent or lessen depression.
• Increasing your energy and strength to make daily activities like carrying groceries and climbing stairs easier.
• Making you more likely to take your prescribed medicines that help lower your risk for future heart problems.
• Preventing future illness and death from heart disease. Studies have found that cardiac rehabilitation decreases the chance that you will die in the 5 years following a heart attack or bypass surgery by about 35%.

Some programs are done in a hospital or rehabilitation center, and other programs can be done in your home. Cardiac rehabilitation may start while you are still in the hospital or right after you leave the hospital.

Cardiac rehabilitation programs usually last about 3 months but can range anywhere from 2 to 8 months.

Talk to your doctor about cardiac rehabilitation. Many insurance plans, including Medicaid and Medicare, cover it if you have a doctor’s referral.

It can be hard to talk to a family member or friend about making heart-healthy changes, but it’s important. In fact, heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States.

The good news is there’s a lot people can do to lower their risk of heart disease. Use these tips to start a conversation about heart-healthy changes like quitting smoking or getting more physical activity.

Start by saying that you care.

You can say:

• “I want you to live a long and healthy life.”
• “I want to help you make healthy changes so you can keep enjoying the things you love to do.”
• “I want to help you get healthy because I care about you.”

Explain that it's possible to prevent heart disease.

Encourage your loved one to take steps that can improve heart health. For example, you can say:

• "Eating healthy is important for heart health. You need a mix of healthy foods — like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, proteins, fat-free or low-fat dairy, and vegetable oils. Why don't we go shopping and cook a healthy meal together?"
• "Getting active is good for your heart. Let's go for a walk after dinner!"
• "Quitting smoking can lower your risk of heart disease. You can get free help by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669)."

Offer to help.

Ask how you can help:

• “What changes are the hardest for you to make? What can I do to support you?”
• “How can we get healthy together?”
• “You don't have to do this alone. How can I help?”