UC Davis Health Boosts Heart Strength with Cardiac Rehab

Program helps patients like Gene Pendergast improve heart health and avoid procedures

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Gene Pendergast was initially reluctant to try cardiac rehabilitation, but after completing the 12-week program at UC Davis Health, he lost 12 pounds, improved his blood pressure and cholesterol, and no longer needs a heart procedure. The cardiac rehab program at UC Davis has a high success rate, with 68% of patients improving their exercise capacity by at least 10% and 91% graduating with their blood pressure under control.

Why it matters

Cardiac rehabilitation is an important tool for helping patients manage heart conditions and reduce the risk of future complications. The high success rate of the UC Davis program shows the value of a comprehensive, team-based approach to cardiac care.

The details

During the 12-week cardiac rehab program, Pendergast completed one hour of exercise per visit, attended classes on healthy eating, physical activity, stress reduction and medication management. Under the guidance of a team of experts, he was able to lose weight, improve his blood pressure and cholesterol, and eliminate his chest pain without any changes to his medications.

  • Pendergast was referred to cardiac rehab after a positive nuclear scan revealed angina, or chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart, during a previous doctor's visit.
  • Pendergast completed the 12-week cardiac rehab program at UC Davis Health.

The players

Gene Pendergast

A patient who was initially reluctant to try cardiac rehabilitation but saw significant improvements in his heart health after completing the 12-week program at UC Davis Health.

Javier E. López

Pendergast's cardiologist who recommended the cardiac rehab program to help manage his condition and reduce future risk.

UC Davis Cardiac Rehabilitation Program

A program at UC Davis Health that has been in operation for over 20 years and has one of the highest cardiac rehab graduation rates in the country, with 68% of patients improving their exercise capacity by at least 10% and 91% graduating with their blood pressure under control.

Tissa Kappagoda

The founder of the UC Davis Cardiac Rehabilitation Program, which was the first of its kind in the Sacramento area.

Rachel Labiak

The assistant nurse manager for cardiac rehabilitation at UC Davis Health, who credits the program's team-based approach and patient-centered care for its high success rates.

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What they’re saying

“Quite frankly, I didn't know what the program involved. I knew I needed to exercise more. I've heard that a million times, but that didn't mean I wanted to.”

— Gene Pendergast (Mirage News)

“I was pleasantly surprised by how encouraging the team was. They weren't critical at all — they genuinely cared about my well-being and were focused on helping me improve.”

— Gene Pendergast (Mirage News)

“I'm so glad I was referred to cardiac rehab. Honestly, I wish I had started sooner — I'd be even better off today. I feel so much more confident about my health now.”

— Gene Pendergast (Mirage News)

“We are proud to have one of the highest cardiac rehab graduation rates in the country. While the national average is in the 20% range, UC Davis consistently graduates patients at rates in the 80% range.”

— Rachel Labiak, Assistant Nurse Manager for Cardiac Rehabilitation, UC Davis Health (Mirage News)

“Success stories like Gene's are the result of the hard work of our cardiac rehab team, who give patient-centered care to every person in the program.”

— Javier E. López, Medical Director, UC Davis Cardiac Rehabilitation Program (Mirage News)

What’s next

Pendergast plans to continue exercising on his own, walking a mile and a half every day and meeting with his trainer weekly, to maintain the improvements he made during the cardiac rehab program.

The takeaway

The success of the UC Davis Cardiac Rehabilitation Program demonstrates the value of a comprehensive, team-based approach to helping patients manage heart conditions and reduce the risk of future complications. By providing personalized care and education, the program has been able to achieve impressive results, with a high percentage of patients improving their physical fitness and overall heart health.