Cardiac Rehab Can Reduce Heart Risk by Nearly 50%

Medically supervised exercise program helps patients recover and regain cardiovascular health after heart events.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Cardiac rehabilitation, a medically supervised exercise program, can significantly reduce the risk of future cardiovascular events by as much as 50% for individuals recovering from a heart attack, bypass surgery, or living with stable angina. Despite the proven benefits, fewer than 30% of eligible patients in the U.S. enroll in these programs.

Why it matters

Cardiac rehabilitation is a comprehensive approach to regaining and improving cardiovascular health, addressing both physical and psychological aspects of recovery. It helps patients regain confidence and safely increase their activity levels, guided by healthcare professionals.

The details

Cardiac rehab includes exercise training, risk factor modification, education on heart-healthy living, nutritional guidance, and stress management strategies. The program is designed for individuals who have undergone procedures like angioplasty or bypass surgery, or are living with conditions like congestive heart failure.

  • Patients typically begin to experience positive changes within weeks as the exercise program is gradually adjusted to their individual capabilities.
  • Cardiac rehab programs typically involve 2-3 sessions per week for 4-12 weeks.

The players

Raquel Nodarse-Lara, RN

Patient care supervisor for Cardiac Rehabilitation at Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute.

Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute

A cardiac rehabilitation program that prides itself on its robust structure, high patient satisfaction, and positive outcomes.

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What they’re saying

“Cardiac rehab is a programmatic approach to help people with cardiac issues...get back to a healthy lifestyle – and quite frankly, sometimes an even healthier lifestyle than before they had their cardiac problem.”

— Raquel Nodarse-Lara, RN, Patient care supervisor for Cardiac Rehabilitation (Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute)

“A lot of the benefits of cardiac rehab are psychological, no question, in addition to the physical benefits.”

— Raquel Nodarse-Lara, RN, Patient care supervisor for Cardiac Rehabilitation (Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute)

“Our program provides these patients the confidence to exercise and resume their lifestyle even when they say: 'I'm not sure what to do,' or 'I'm afraid to do this on my own.'”

— Raquel Nodarse-Lara, RN, Patient care supervisor for Cardiac Rehabilitation (Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute)

What’s next

Patients who qualify for cardiac rehabilitation should proactively discuss their eligibility with their healthcare providers.

The takeaway

Cardiac rehabilitation is a powerful, yet often underutilized, tool in the fight against cardiovascular disease. By addressing both the physical and psychological aspects of recovery, these programs empower patients to regain control of their health and reduce their risk of future cardiac events.