Cardiac rehabilitation reduces heart attack risk by 28%, study finds

A comprehensive Cochrane systematic review has found that exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation significantly improves outcomes for patients with coronary heart disease. Analyzing 107 randomized controlled trials involving 26,886 participants, researchers determined that structured exercise programs reduce the risk of heart attacks by 28% and decrease all-cause hospital admissions by 35%.

Beyond physical metrics, the review noted improvements in patient well-being, including physical functioning, vitality, social functioning, and mental health. The research highlights that structured rehabilitation helps address the psychological hurdles, such as fear and depression, that often lead to inactivity following a cardiac event.

Notably, the inclusion of 22 new trials suggests that home-based digital programs are just as effective as traditional in-person sessions. This finding may increase accessibility for patients in low- and middle-income countries or those unable to attend center-based services.