Women face barriers to cardiac rehab despite proven benefits
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- Reviewed by Robert H. Shmerling, MD, Senior Faculty Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
Despite the proven benefits of cardiac rehabilitation — which can lower the odds of dying of cardiovascular disease — women are far less likely than men to take part in such programs, according to a scientific statement published online by the American Heart Association (AHA) on Oct. 14, 2025, by the journal Circulation.
Typically prescribed after a heart attack, heart surgery, or other major cardiovascular problem, cardiac rehab combines elements such as aerobic exercise, strength training, and nutrition counseling. People who participate often reap benefits such as lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels; greater fitness; and fewer hospital readmissions, the AHA said. Women who participate in cardiac rehab reduce their risk of dying from cardiovascular disease even more than men do.
But despite its effectiveness, women’s cardiac rehab enrollment rates are 36% lower than men’s. Women entering such programs also tend to be older than men and have more additional conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure or cholesterol, and diabetes. Many cardiac rehab programs are also not tailored to potential barriers to access that affect women more often, including caregiving responsibilities, transportation challenges, scheduling conflicts, financial constraints, and limited social support. Providers should take steps to reduce these barriers, and women with cardiovascular disease should be proactive about seeking cardiac rehab, the AHA said.
Image: © Jacob Wackerhausen/Getty Images
About the Author
Maureen Salamon, Executive Editor, Harvard Women's Health Watch
About the Reviewer
Robert H. Shmerling, MD, Senior Faculty Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
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