What is the purpose of cardiac rehabilitation?

The purpose of cardiac rehabilitation is primarily to improve cardiovascular health following heart surgery or after experiencing a heart attack. This program is essential for helping patients recover and regain their strength, enhance their physical fitness, and make lifestyle changes that promote heart health.

During cardiac rehabilitation, patients typically participate in a structured program that includes supervised exercise sessions, education about heart-healthy living, counseling on nutrition, and support for smoking cessation if applicable. This multifaceted approach not only helps in physical recovery but also in reducing the risk of future heart problems, improving overall well-being and quality of life.

Other options may touch on aspects related to heart health but do not encompass the comprehensive nature of cardiac rehabilitation. For instance, while increasing blood oxygen levels is a physiological response that can happen after improved cardiac function, it is not the primary aim of rehabilitation programs. Diagnosing heart diseases is typically the role of medical professionals prior to rehabilitation, and decreasing heart rate variability is not a goal of rehabilitation; rather, rehabilitation aims at improved heart function and fitness.