Cardiovascular disease (CVD) poses a significant health challenge globally, including in Korea, due to its status as a leading cause of death and its impact on cardiopulmonary function. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a well-established program that not only aids in restoring cardiopulmonary function, but also improves physical and social conditions. The benefits of CR are widely recognized, and it is implemented globally. While the effectiveness of CR has been proven in Korea, it is underutilized. This fact sheet summarizes the current status of CR in Korea, including the prevalence of CVD, the clinical practice guidelines for CR programs, and the challenges of implementing CR in Korea.

Citations

• Factors influencing active participation in cardiac rehabilitation among patients with cardiovascular disease: A nationwide cohort study
  Chul Kim, Jung Hwa Hong, Jang Woo Lee
  PM&R.2025; 17(10): 1140.     CrossRef
• 2024 Cardio-cerebrovascular disease fact sheet in Korea
  Kyungdo Han, Jin-Hyung Jung, Sang-Suk Choi, Seung-Hyun Ko
  Cardiovascular Prevention and Pharmacotherapy.2025; 7(3): 85.     CrossRef
• The Accessibility and Effect of Cardiac Rehabilitation in COVID-19 Pandemic Era
  Chul Kim, Jun Hyeong Song, Seung Hyoun Kim
  Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine.2024; 48(4): 249.     CrossRef
• Effectiveness of Home-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation with Optimized Exercise Prescriptions Using a Mobile Healthcare App in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Randomized Controlled Trial
  Hyun-Seok Jo, Hyeong-Min Kim, Chae-Hyun Go, Hae-Young Yu, Hyeng-Kyu Park, Jae-Young Han
  Life.2024; 14(9): 1122.     CrossRef
• Cardiac rehabilitation for patients with coronary artery disease
  Jang Woo Lee
  Journal of the Korean Medical Association.2024; 67(9): 566.     CrossRef