Cardiac Rehabilitation: Why It Is Done

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Why It Is Done

Cardiac rehab can help you recover from a heart attack or other major heart problem or help improve your quality of life if you have long-term heart disease, such as chronic angina or heart failure. Cardiac rehab can also help you prevent future heart problems if you are at high risk for heart disease or heart attack. Studies have shown that people of any age can benefit from a rehab program, but this is especially true for older adults, women, and people who are at higher risk for developing heart failure. Cardiac rehab can also help you return to work safely and in a timely manner.

You might benefit from cardiac rehab if you:

• Are medically stable after having had a heart attack or heart surgery, including a heart transplant.
• Have heart failure. The exercises you do in cardiac rehab may not improve your heart's ability to pump, but they will strengthen the other muscles in your body, help you do activities more easily, and improve the quality of your life.
• Have angina (chest pain). Cardiac rehab may prevent future heart problems and teach you ways to manage symptoms of the disease.
• Have a pacemaker or another device to keep your heartbeat regular. Cardiac rehab programs can teach you safe ways to exercise if you have a pacemaker.

Last updated:	October 08, 2008
Author:	Robin Parks, MS
Reviewed By:	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine, Richard D. Zorowitz, MD - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC