What is cardiac rehabilitation?

Cardiac rehabilitation, sometimes called cardiac rehab, helps you to recover and get back to as full a life as possible after a heart attack, heart surgery or following a diagnosis such as heart failure.

It is an individualised exercise, education and support programme built around your personal circumstances and needs.

You may be able to access cardiac rehab in a variety of different ways, such as by attending in person or joining remotely from home. This may include video calls, websites, mobile apps or telephone support.

Cardiac rehab is a vital part of your recovery, so consider it as important as taking your medicines. No matter your age, gender, ethnicity or level of fitness you can benefit from cardiac rehab.

What happens at cardiac rehab?

Before starting the programme, you will be invited to have a discussion with members of your local cardiac rehab team. This is sometimes called an assessment.

This is an opportunity to discuss what is important to you, any concerns you may have and how you will work together to set some goals for both the short and longer term.

You may discuss any risk factors that you want to address such as eating healthy, stopping smoking or how to safely build up your levels of exercise.

There are different ways that you can engage with your cardiac rehab programme. These may include:

• attending a local class in-person
• engaging from home (online or following a written programme)
• a combination of both.

Your team will discuss what options are available, how long the programme will last and agree on a plan that will work best for you.

It is also natural that you may want to make changes to your programme and try different things. Your cardiac rehab team are always there to support you and discuss options that will be safe for you to try.

Your cardiac rehab programme will be made up of different elements, based on the plan you discussed with the team. Your programme may include a combination of:

Exercise sessions

These are tailored to each person’s individual need, ability and preference. The session is designed to safely build your fitness, strength and confidence. You will also be given guidance on how to be physically active at home on a daily basis.

What activity you do will depend on what you enjoy, what is available locally and what the team feels will be most suitable for you.

The exercise sessions could be group classes, walking programmes or programmes you can do at home. They will generally be made up of three main sections:

• The warm-up prepares your body and heart for the exercise session. It is natural to feel slightly warmer and a little out of breath.
• The main exercise or conditioning section will generally last a little longer than the warm-up and will be at a level that is safe for you. The team will explain how to monitor how you are feeling throughout the session. This may include taking your heart rate or using a scale to explain how challenging you are finding the exercise (ranging from easy to a little harder).
• The cool down is an equally important part of the session. It gradually helps your body to return your heart rate and breathing back down to what it was before you started the warm-up. Some cool downs may have a relaxation session at the end.

Don’t worry if feel nervous about exercising, this is completely normal. The cardiac rehab team will be there to support and guide you, making sure you are exercising at a level that is safe for you.

Information and education sessions

You may also attend information sessions, visit useful websites (such as the BHF) or be given a booklet or manual to read at home.

The information will cover different topics such as eating healthily, learning about your medicines, the importance of stopping smoking and relaxation techniques. The topics that you cover will be based on what is important and of interest to you.

Peer support

Cardiac rehab offers a great opportunity to meet people who are in a similar situation as yourself, share experiences and provide a support network. You may meet people at your exercise or information session. Some programmes offer specific peer support sessions, use group video calling or social media.

Emotional support and wellbeing

After a heart event or diagnosis, it is normal to feel a mixture of emotions, like anger, frustration and feeling sad. Feeling confused and isolated after is very common and can have a major effect on you and your loved ones.

Cardiac rehab provides advice and information about adjusting to life with a heart condition and dealing with any mental health concerns or stress.

How can cardiac rehab help me?

Cardiac rehab is a vital part of your recovery and it’s just as important as taking your medicines. Research has shown that cardiac rehab can reduce your risk of having another heart event or being readmitted to hospital. It also has a positive impact on your wellbeing and quality of life.

Cardiac rehab can help you with: 

• recovering from your surgery, procedure or heart attack
• reducing the risk of further heart problems
• understanding your heart condition and getting back to as full a life as possible
• making changes to your lifestyle that will help improve your heart health, such as eating healthily, stopping smoking and being more active
• building your confidence
• improving your mental health and wellbeing
• meeting other people who are in a similar situation as yourself
• returning to work.

Where is my nearest cardiac rehab programme?

You can find out where your nearest cardiac rehabilitation programme is by using the cardiac rehab finder or by contacting our Heart Helpline.