Cardiac Rehabilitation for Health Professionals - Patient Resources

Cardiac rehabilitation (cardiac rehab) will support your heart disease patients to return to their version of a quality of life, stay out of hospital and reduce their risk of future health complications.

Unfortunately, many patients leave hospital without a conversation with their trusted health professional about the benefits of cardiac rehab or a referral to their closest service.

Observational studies have revealed that as few as 30 percent of eligible patients are referred to cardiac rehabilitation and of those referred less than 30 percent attend (Astley et al, 2020).

The below resources have been created to help health professionsals support thier patients' recovery.

Six Steps to Cardiac Recovery

You can follow the Six Steps To Cardiac Recovery to guide your inpatient conversation about key recovery messages soon after their heart event.

Download Six Steps To Cardiac Recovery (PDF)

Cardiac Rehabilitation Video series

This video series will help you explain to your patients the benefits of cardiac rehabilitation through the narratives of patients who have attended.

View The Video Series

Cardiac Rehabilitation Flyer

This flyer will help your clients understand the benefits of cardiac rehabilitation and what is typically involved in a cardiac rehab session. You can download it free from the Heart Foundation Shop.

Download from Heart Foundation shop

Heart Failure and Support Service Fact Sheet

Heart Failure patients benefit from cardiac rehabilitation and chronic disease management programs. Use this heart failure fact sheet to promote these programs to your heart failure clients.

Download the fact sheet (PDF)

Find your patients closest service

The cardiac service directory is an interactive online tool that allows you to find the details of your patient’s closest support service by searching by their postcode.

Explore the Cardiac Services Directory

My Heart My Life (MHML) support program

The My Heart My Life program is a free support program for those who have recently experienced a heart attack or angina episode. With calls from our Helpline, education booklets, an SMS and email journey, we are here for your patients.

The program is not a replacement for cardiac rehab but a adjunct to offer increased support.

Enrol your patients in MHML

Helpline Information Card

The Heart Foundation Helpline is a free support service available within business hours. This information card can be given to your patients so they always have easy access to the contact details for the Heart Foundation Helpline.

If you cannot refer your patient to cardiac rehabilitation, at least ensure they know the Helpline can be a support. You can download the info card free from the Heart Foundation Shop.

Download from Heart Foundation shop