Women’s Reasons For Completing Cardiac Rehabilitation: A Qualitative Examination

Abstract

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs mediate the physical and emotional impact of cardiac events. Women are less likely to be referred to and complete CR programs than men resulting in poorer cardiac outcomes. Methods: This qualitative descriptive study examined women’s reasons and barriers for attending and completing a CR program. Findings suggest women choose to complete CR programs based on their experiences while attending the program. Discussions of strategies for enrolling women and maximizing their experiences are identified as well as areas of future research for improving women’s experiences of cardiac rehabilitation.