Promotion of Physical Activity and Cardiac Rehabilitation for the Management of Cardiovascular Disease

National rates of cardiovascular disease continue to increase, whereas levels of physical activity (PA) remain discouragingly low, representing lost opportunity for effective lifestyle management. When equipped with knowledge of recent guidelines and cardiac rehabilitation (CR) options, nurse practitioners will be poised to most effectively manage patients with cardiovascular disease through PA measures. Towards this end, this article will overview the 1) benefits of PA; 2) advantages, safety, structure, and qualifying diagnoses for CR; 3) efforts to increase CR referral and participation; 4) alternatives and supplements to traditional CR programs; and 5) principles and guidance for prescribing PA outside of the CR setting.