According to findings of a Mayo Clinic study, heart attack patients who participate in cardiac rehabilitation have the same survival rate as people who have never suffered a heart attack. So, if cardiac rehab improves survival at such a high rate, why are women less likely to go?

Research provides no clear answer...yet. It may be that women's heart attacks tend to happen later in life and patients may be dealing with other illnesses or family complications that make following a program more difficult. Many are not aware of the importance of a supervised rehab program. But cardiac rehabilitation is vital to recovery and prevention of future attacks.

If this applies to you, talk to your doctor about the benefits of cardiac rehab and, if prescribed, get into a supervised program and stick with it. Your heart depends on it.