Few Women Participate in Cardiac Rehabilitation, Despite a Slew of Benefits

Dr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health

Briana Mercola

Health & Fitness, Alternative Health

4.6 • 1.5K Ratings

🗓️ 2 December 2025

⏱️ 6 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Fewer than 20% of women take part in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs, which is one of the most proven ways to recover and prevent another heart event
Women who complete cardiac rehab lower their risk of hospitalization by up to 42% and reduce their risk of death from heart disease by as much as 58%, gaining both longer life and better quality of life
Referral bias is a major reason for low participation — women are referred for cardiac rehab less often than men, and rates are even lower among Black, Hispanic, and Asian women, where participation averages just 10% to 12%
Automatic referrals, flexible scheduling, home-based or hybrid options, and women-only programs are powerful, research-backed strategies that dramatically increase enrollment and completion rates
Cardiac rehab isn't just exercise — it's a personalized recovery plan that rebuilds heart strength, lowers stress, and restores confidence, giving women a structured way to take back control of their health and their future

Transcript

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0:00.0	Have you been told to rest after a heart attack, yet no one mentioned the one program that could cut your risk of dying from heart disease by as much as 58% and keep you out of the hospital by up to 42%.
0:12.0	Welcome to Dr. Mercola's cellular wisdom. Stay informed with quick, easy-to-listen summaries of our latest articles, perfect for when you're on the go.
0:21.8	No reading required.
0:25.4	Subscribe for free at mercola.com for the latest health insights.
0:29.6	Hello and welcome to Dr. Mercola's cellular wisdom.
0:35.6	I'm Ethan Foster, and today we're focusing on why so few women enroll in cardiac rehabilitation despite its benefits, and what changes help you access and complete it.
0:40.9	I'm Alara Sky. You may be surprised to learn that fewer than 20% of women participate in cardiac rehab,
0:47.8	even though heart disease claims more women's lives each year than all cancers combined.
0:53.0	The gap isn't about lesser benefit. It's about
0:56.2	barriers that block you at referral, enrollment, and completion. Cardiac rehab is a medically
1:02.5	supervised program that helps you rebuild strength and confidence after a cardiac event or heart
1:07.9	procedure. It's not just exercise. You get monitored aerobic training,
1:12.5	coaching for heart healthy living, and stress reduction strategies that protect your recovery,
1:17.3	and lower the chance of another event. Eligibility is broad. You qualify if you've had a heart
1:23.2	attack, coronary artery disease, angina, or heart failure,
1:28.3	or a procedure such as bypass surgery, angioplasty, or stent placement,
1:34.3	valve surgery, or a pacemaker or implantable defibrillator.
1:39.3	The plan centers on minimizing or reversing atherosclerosis
1:43.3	with targeted lifestyle changes and appropriate medications.
1:47.0	Cardiac rehab typically unfolds in three parts.
1:51.0	First, exercise counseling and training that get your heart working in a controlled way
1:56.0	so your cardiovascular system becomes stronger and more efficient.
	...

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