For the past half century, cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs have helped millions of people recover from heart surgery and lower their risk of subsequent cardiovascular issues. But recent research reveals a puzzling reality: Women are much less likely than men to use these services.
The obstacles are both institutional and personal, according to a 2025 American Heart Association (AHA) report. Clinicians are less likely to refer women patients to cardiac rehab. And caregiving responsibilities often fall most heavily on women, limiting their ability to follow through with a rehab program — even when they are referred to one.
Women also tend to be older than men when a cardiovascular event sends them to the hospital, and they may be struggling with other maladies — they’re more prone to postsurgical depression, for instance — that could impede their ability to complete a rehab regimen.
“Traditional CR programs often fail to address these needs adequately, contributing to proportionally lower participation and completion among eligible women,” the authors write.
The AHA report calls for a multifaceted approach to making CR programs more available to women. Such an approach might include introducing an automatic referral process for all patients after surgery, creating new CR options with a broader range of exercise prescriptions or psychosocial services, and routinely offering support through peer-group counseling.
“Implementation of these strategies can facilitate access to CR programs for women, promoting their quality of life and long-term cardiovascular health,” the authors write.
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