Cardiac rehabilitation is a program of exercise training and health coaching that helps people improve their heart health. It focuses on physical activity, healthy eating, emotional wellbeing, taking the right medications, and quitting tobacco.
Cardiac rehab is proven to help people live longer, stay out of the hospital, and feel better.
Many programs include 2-3 sessions per week up to 36 sessions at a cardiac rehabilitation facility. People exercise, learn about healthy eating and other health topics, and receive coaching. Programs have a team of doctors, nurses, exercise physiologists, dietitians, and health behavior specialists. Some programs also offer virtual, remote, or hybrid options to make it easier for people to participate. Cardiac rehab is covered by most insurance plans for people with a recent heart attack, heart stent, heart bypass surgery, valve repair or replacement, or with chronic angina (chest discomfort) or heart failure.