Cardiac Rehabilitation Goals and Benefits

While cardiac rehabilitation goals and benefits may differ for each individual, they generally involve lifestyle changes. The goals are usually focused on helping patients recover faster, feel better, reduce stress, reduce the risks of future heart problems, and develop a healthier lifestyle. The benefits include learning how to exercise to strengthen your heart and getting help with making the lifestyle changes associated with heart disease treatment.

Cardiac Rehabilitation

Cardiac Rehabilitation Goals

The goals of cardiac rehab are different for each patient. In helping you set your cardiac rehabilitation goals, your cardiac rehab team will look at your general health, your specific heart problem, your risks for future heart problems, your doctor's recommendations, and, of course, your own preferences.

Cardiac Rehabilitation Benefits

Cardiac rehab can reduce your symptoms and your chances of having more heart problems.

Cardiac rehabilitation benefits include:

Exercise tones your muscles and improves your energy level and spirits. It helps both your heart and your body get stronger and work better. Exercise also can get you back to work and to other activities faster.
A heart healthy diet can lower cholesterol, control weight, and help prevent or control high blood pressure and other problems, such as diabetes. Plus, you will feel better and have more energy.
Cardiac rehab can help you quit smoking. Kicking the habit means you'll have less risk of lung cancer, emphysema, and bronchitis, as well as less risk of heart attack, stroke, and other heart and blood vessel problems. It means you'll have more energy, and it means better health for your loved ones.
You can learn to manage stress instead of letting it manage you. You will feel better and improve your heart health.

(Cardiac Rehabilitation Goals and Benefits Continued: Page 2)