Which statement best describes the indications for cardiac rehabilitation?

• A. It is indicated for chronic stable angina, stable heart failure, MI within 1 year, PAD, and post-cardiac surgery/PCI
• B. It is only indicated after MI within 30 days
• C. It is contraindicated in PAD
• D. It is not beneficial for heart failure

Answer: (A)

Cardiac rehabilitation is meant for a broad range of cardiovascular conditions to support recovery, risk-factor management, and long-term prevention. The best option reflects that patients with chronic stable angina, stable heart failure, myocardial infarction within the past year, peripheral arterial disease, and those after cardiac surgery or PCI all have indications for referral to rehab. Programs combine supervised exercise with risk-factor modification, smoking cessation, nutrition, psychosocial support, and medication optimization, and this approach improves exercise tolerance, quality of life, and reduces future cardiac events and hospitalizations across these conditions.

The idea that rehab is limited only to MI within 30 days is too narrow; rehab benefits extend beyond that window to include various CHD and post-procedural states. The notion that PAD is a contraindication is incorrect, as many PAD patients participate with tailored programs. And it’s not true that rehab isn’t beneficial for heart failure, since evidence shows improvements in functional capacity and outcomes for HF patients.