Cardiac Rehab – A Lifeline for Heart Health
February 19, 2025
For many people recovering from a heart attack, surgery, or other heart event, cardiac rehabilitation is a vital first step toward recovery. But research shows that the benefits of cardiac rehab extend far beyond the immediate aftermath of a heart event, helping patients improve their health, reduce future risks, and even extend their lifespan years later.
Each year, about 800,000 Americans have a heart attack. For 25% of them, it’s not their first one. Cardiac rehab can help prevent a second heart attack and decrease the risk of death over one to three years after taking part in the program. However, only 20% to 30% of those eligible each year enroll in a cardiac rehab program.
Cardiac rehab is a medically supervised program designed to improve cardiovascular health for individuals who have experienced a heart attack, heart surgery, or other cardiac conditions. It typically includes three key components including supervised exercise training which strengthens the heart and improves overall fitness, heart-healthy education, which provides guidance on nutrition, medications, and lifestyle changes and finally, emotional support, which helps patients manage stress, depression, and anxiety, which can be common after heart events.
While most cardiac rehab programs are recommended within weeks or months after a heart event, experts advise that participating in or restarting rehab, even years later, can still offer significant benefits.
Kevin Vaska, MD,
Cardiologist at HRMC Physicians Clinic
The long-term benefits of cardiac rehab include reduction in the risk of future heart problems, with a 2023 Mayo Clinic study showing patients who participate in cardiac rehab are 20-30% less likely to suffer another heart attack or require hospitalization. Additionally, a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that cardiac rehab participants had a 25% lower risk of death over the next five years compared to those who did not participate.
Cardiac rehab provides structured, safe exercise plans that improve endurance, strength, and overall mobility benefits that persist even if the program starts later in life, according to the American Heart Association. Experts encourage anyone with a history of heart disease, surgery, or heart failure to consider cardiac rehab, regardless of how much time has elapsed.
Dr. Kevin Vaska, cardiologist at HRMC Physicians Clinic, shared, “It’s never too late to invest in your heart health. Whether you had a heart attack last year or a decade ago, structured rehab can improve your quality of life, increase your strength, and help you feel more in control of your health.”
For those interested in cardiac rehab, the first step is speaking with a healthcare provider. Medicare and most insurance plans cover cardiac rehab for eligible patients, often including qualifying heart conditions or events from the past.
If you or a loved one has a history of heart problems, it may be time to consider the lasting impact of cardiac rehabilitation and a close eye on your heart health. For more information on cardiac rehabilitation or how to find a local health care provider, visit huronregional.org.
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