The next step in your patients’ care is
Cardiac rehabilitation
Cardiac rehabilitation (or rehab) is a comprehensive program to support individuals recovering from heart-related conditions. It helps patients regain strength and confidence, allowing them to lead a healthier and more active life.
Cardiac rehab is the gold standard of care for eligible patients.
The case for cardiac rehab
Participation in cardiac rehab is strongly recommended in international guidelines for a spectrum of cardiovascular conditions and procedures including coronary artery disease, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, heart valve repair/replacement such as aortic valve replacement, and heart failure.
Patients who attend cardiac rehab:
- have up to a 47% lower risk of death from all causes
- reduced chance of future cardiac events
- reduced hospital readmissions
- benefit even if they are already physically active at home
Medicare and most insurance providers cover the cost of cardiac rehab for patients who meet the medical criteria.
MiCR Cardiac Rehab
Best Practices Toolkit
Explore this toolkit full of strategies for Initiation, maintenance, and innovation in your CR program.
Million Hearts Cardiac Rehab Change Package
Browse a collection of straightforward and highly adaptable process improvement resources and tools.
Takeheart Training Curriculum & Resources
Explore a range of educational resources available through TAKEheart, AHRQ's initiative to help hospitals increase CR participation.
What is
Cardiac rehab?
Cardiac rehab programs typically consist of 24–36 1-hour sessions at a rehab facility that are customized to meet patient’s needs.
The cornerstone of these programs is monitored exercise, which aids in rebuilding strength and fostering confidence in a safe environment. Additionally, cardiac rehab offers education and counseling on nutrition, stress management, medication usage, risk factor modification (like quitting smoking), and mental health.
What patients are eligible?
Patients who have one of the following may be eligible for cardiac rehab:
✔️ Heart Attack
✔️ Angina
✔️ Cardiac surgery
✔️ Coronary artery angioplasty or stents
✔️ Heart failure
✔️ Heart transplant
✔️ Transcatheter valve replacement
Is cardiac rehab covered by insurance?
Medicare and most insurance providers cover the cost of cardiac rehab. Depending on the plan, patients may be responsible for some out-of-pocket costs, such as a per-session copay. Rehab facility staff can work with patients to understand their insurance coverage.
Your patients should attend cardiac rehab EVEN IF they are already active at home.
Cardiac rehab is NOT just exercise. Participating, even if patients are already active at home, improves quality of life and longevity after a cardiac event.
Beautifully designed resources for cardiac rehab
Cardiac Rehab
Handout for patients
Share important information with your patients about the basics and benefits of cardiac rehab, a getting started checklist, and links to find additional resources. You can download and print a generic copy of this handout or use the buttons below to access an editable version where you can add your organization’s logo.
See the first page of the customizable handout file for instructions on how to customize your handout using Microsoft Powerpoint. Or watch this brief video:
Cardiac Rehab
Liaison postcard
In-hospital liaisons can help increase the number of patients who enroll in and complete cardiac rehab. Liaisons share essential information with patients about what cardiac rehab is and the importance of attending after a qualifying cardiac event.
This eye-catching postcard shares that information and can be customized to include recommended rehab program information, liaison information, and your organizational branding.
Explore other
Cardiac rehab resources
In a sense, the initial heart surgery saved my life the first time; but cardiac rehab saved it a second time. The rehab people performed a small miracle by restoring my self-confidence.
– John, Cardiac Rehab Participant