Health benefits of cardiac rehabilitation
The many benefits of cardiac rehab include:
- Lower risk of fatal heart attack.
- Decreased severity of angina and decreased need for medicines to control angina.
- Reduced need for hospitalization because of heart problems. Costs for doctor visits and hospitalizations are reduced by 35% for those who participate in cardiac rehab. Visits to the emergency room are also reduced.
- Decreased blood pressure.
- Reduced shortness of breath and fatigue in people with heart failure.
- Ability to exercise longer (increased exercise tolerance).
- Lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
- Decreased emotional stress, depression, and anxiety.
- Significant weight loss when exercise is combined with other changes in lifestyle, such as eating a balanced diet.
| Author: | Robin Parks, MS | Last Updated: October 8, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine Richard D. Zorowitz, MD - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation | |
 | ||