After a heart event or procedure
CR may be recommended after a heart attack, angioplasty or stent, bypass surgery or valve surgery.
Learn about
Cardiac Rehabilitation
Explore who cardiac rehabilitation may help, what a program can involve and its potential benefits. Learn about care options and how to keep building on your progress.
Begin with the basicsThe essentials
What is cardiac rehabilitation?
Cardiac rehabilitation, often called cardiac rehab or CR, is a structured program of exercise, heart-health education and self-management support, with clinical assessment and support. It also helps people manage stress and build confidence during recovery.
A healthcare professional can assess your health, abilities and goals. Exercise may be supervised or guided, with the level of clinical support suited to your assessment and care setting.
It starts with an assessment. Your healthcare provider can discuss whether CR may suit you, what support is appropriate and what options are available locally.
Who is it for?
Recovery and support can look different for everyone.
Ask your healthcare provider whether cardiac rehab may be suitable for your health, circumstances and goals.
Some ongoing heart conditions
Some people with coronary artery disease, angina or stable heart failure may also be considered, based on individual assessment.
A heart diagnosis or procedure does not automatically mean CR is suitable or covered. Eligibility, referral requirements and coverage vary by individual circumstances and location.
Finding a program
Start with the care options near you.
Availability, suitability and the level of clinical support depend on your needs and local services.
Hospital or in-person care
CR may be offered through a hospital outpatient service, clinic or community program. Your provider can explain referral steps and the level of supervision available.
Virtual or hybrid care
Some programs include virtual sessions or a mix of in-person and home support. Ask whether the format and clinical support are appropriate for you. The Rehab Portal is one virtual option for people cleared to exercise unsupervised.
See how The Rehab Portal worksSupervised cardiac rehab and independent home exercise are not interchangeable. A healthcare professional should advise what setting and level of support are right for you. If attending regularly is difficult, ask about alternatives before changing your care plan.
What CR can involve
Movement, learning and skills for daily life.
Your plan should reflect your assessment and goals. The exact activities and support vary by program.
01
Exercise, at your pace
A program may include assessed, supervised exercise to build fitness and confidence, with activity matched to your needs.
More about this part
Your team can help decide what activity is appropriate, how it should progress and what supervision is needed. Follow the plan provided for you rather than starting or changing exercise on your own.
02
Heart-health education
Learn about heart health and practical ways to support your wellbeing in everyday life.
More about this part
Education may cover heart-healthy living, understanding your condition and preparing questions for your care team. The topics and format vary by program.
03
Self-management
Build routines for nutrition, medicines and keeping track of relevant health information.
More about this part
A program may help you organize medicine routines, record vital signs or symptoms when advised, and notice when to contact your care team. It does not replace individualized medical advice.
04
Emotional wellbeing
Recovery can bring stress or uncertainty. Support may help you build confidence and find ways to cope.
More about this part
Depending on the program, you may discuss stress, emotional wellbeing and practical strategies for day-to-day life, or be connected with additional support.
Follow your care team's instructions for activity and self-management. Do not use general information to set your own exercise or medicine plan.
Why people consider CR
Progress that can support everyday life.
Cardiac rehabilitation may help improve fitness and build confidence with activity. Heart-health education and self-management support can help people develop routines that fit their lives.
Support for stress and emotional wellbeing may also be part of a program. Benefits vary from person to person. CR supports ongoing medical care and does not guarantee a particular outcome.
After a program ends
Graduation is a beginning, not the end of the routine.
After formal CR, continuing the habits that work for you can help keep heart-healthy living part of everyday life. Your care team can help you plan a gradual transition and discuss maintenance or community options.
Keep following your care team's instructions, and ask how to adapt your routine if your health or symptoms change. The Rehab Portal can offer a virtual routine for people who are cleared to exercise unsupervised.
Not sure where to start?
Ask your healthcare provider:
- Could cardiac rehabilitation be suitable for me?
- What in-person, virtual or hybrid options are available?
- What level of exercise supervision do I need?
Cardiac rehabilitation with The Rehab Portal
A flexible way to keep moving forward.
Build a routine that fits your life. The Rehab Portal offers virtual cardiac rehabilitation tailored to your abilities and goals, through the app or web. It may be an option if regular attendance is difficult, a home complement to in-person care or a way to continue after graduation.
No referral is needed. You must be cleared by your healthcare provider to exercise unsupervised before beginning exercise in the program. Your provider can advise when to start and whether you need supervised cardiac rehab first.
See how The Rehab Portal worksFor healthcare organizations
Extend rehabilitation support beyond the practice.
The Rehab Portal can help organizations offer virtual cardiac rehabilitation and ongoing self-management resources alongside existing services or as part of a maintenance pathway.
For patients enrolled through your organization, your practitioners can assign activities, review progress and receive relevant notifications from daily check-ins. This gives your team context between visits within your service's workflow.
Explore the organization offeringFurther reading
Learn from trusted health resources.
This page is general education, not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Ask your healthcare provider before starting or changing exercise or medicine routines. Do not use this information to diagnose symptoms or set exercise intensity. For a medical emergency, contact local emergency services.