Cardiac Rehabilitation Week 2026 highlights the importance of ongoing care and support after a cardiac event.
Every year, more than 1 million Americans have a coronary event or undergo a cardiac-related procedure, according to the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR). And nearly 18 million adults in the U.S. are currently living with some form of heart disease, according to the National Library of Medicine study “Cardiac Rehabilitation in the Modern Era.” Returning to daily life and regular habits after a diagnosis or cardiac event is therefore a critical part of ongoing clinical care and recovery for patients.
Cardiac rehabilitation (CR), a medically supervised program designed to improve cardiovascular health, is a form of secondary prevention for cardiovascular disease, according to the National Library of Medicine study. Participation in CR offers benefits across mortality, reduced hospital readmissions and quality of life for patients.
The primary goal of CR is to provide ongoing medical support after a cardiac event while enabling patients to achieve their optimal physical, psychological and social functioning through exercise, training and lifestyle change.
Cardiac Rehabilitation Week takes place this year in 2026 from February 9 through the 15, according to AACVPR, to draw attention to the role that cardiac rehabilitation plays in reducing the potentially devastating effects of heart disease.
Moving forward one step at a time
In the clinical setting, CR is prescribed by a cardiologist and delivered by a multidisciplinary team that includes nurses, exercise physiologists, dietitians, behavioral health specialists, and in some cases, pharmacists and social workers.
Programs are generally structured around 36 sessions over 12 weeks, with duration and intensity adapted to patient needs.
CR is typically delivered in an outpatient, hospital-based setting in the U.S., but can also be delivered in facility-based, home-based, virtual or hybrid models, allowing for flexibility in program access.
Patients with a history of heart attack, coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG), heart valve repair or replacement, heart or heart-lung transplant, heart failure, and those with ventricular assist devices, coronary artery disease equivalents such as diabetes or peripheral artery disease and more may benefit from a prescription for cardiac rehabilitation, according to AACVPR.
Exercise for heart health
Beginning or returning to exercise is an important component of recovery for patients who have heart disease or have had a cardiac event.
In fact, at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity physical activity can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol, according to the American Heart Association. It can also help patients keep their weight at a healthy level.
Cardiac rehabilitation offers a clinical setting in which patients can safely exercise, noted Cleveland Clinic, and provides patients with an individualized plan for returning to movement.
Cardiac rehabilitation allows patients to lessen their chances of another heart attack, control heart disease symptoms such as chest pain and shortness of breath, stop or reverse damage to the blood vessels in the heart, lessen the physical and emotional effects of heart disease and improve stamina and strength.
In addition to providing patients with prescribed exercise to improve cardiovascular fitness without exceeding safe limits, cardiac rehab also educates patients about their health journey and guides them on ways to stabilize or reverse heart disease.
Long-term lifestyle changes such as reducing or eliminating smoking, lowering cholesterol, controlling high blood pressure, eating a healthier diet, weight loss/control, improving or managing diabetes, increasing physical activity and improving psychological wellbeing may address certain risk factors for heart disease, according to the American Heart Association.
Addressing long-term well-being
As advances in medical and interventional therapy continue to prolong patient survival, more people are living longer lives with cardiovascular disease.
As a result, the focus of CR programs has recently refocused beyond extending patient lifespan and into improving patients’ quality of life and long-term well-being, according to the National Library of Medicine.
Cardiac rehabilitation now not only encourages a gradual return to a patient’s physical movement and activity level but also provides them with lifestyle counseling to promote increased physical activity, healthy habits and medication adherence; nutrition counseling and weight management; and psychosocial support including depression screening and stress management.
Beyond its physical benefits, a multidimensional approach to CR also provides patients with both psychological and social support, according to AACVPR, including coping skills, stress reduction, group support, community building and family engagement.
In fact, AACVPR data demonstrated that participation in early outpatient cardiac rehab results in improved adherence to preventative medications, function and exercise capacity, quality of life and modifiable risk factors.
For Cardiac Rehabilitation week this year, AACVPR is raising awareness for the numerous benefits of cardiac rehabilitation, highlighting the impact CR has in improving quality of life, and encouraging physicians and cardiologists to educate their patients about CR.