Gender differences in cardiac rehabilitation.

It is now widely recognized that comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation has substantial benefits in patients with cardiovascular disease. Despite the fact that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States with more than 250,000 deaths each year, most studies of cardiac rehabilitation have not included a substantial number of women. By making cardiac rehabilitation programs more responsive to the needs and goals of female coronary patients, participation rates and compliance rates should increase with a favorable impact on morbidity, mortality, and quality of life for women with cardiovascular diseases.