Securing long-term heart health for Australians: understanding how funding structures in cardiac rehabilitation influence cardiovascular inequities

Cardiac rehabilitation is a critical component of comprehensive and evidence-based cardiovascular care. As heart disease is a lifelong condition, it is essential that people living with the disease, and their family members, understand the long-term management required to improve and maintain quality of life. Cardiac rehabilitation includes components such as education, exercise training and psychosocial and peer support. These programs reduce the risk of repeat myocardial infarction, rehospitalisation, and all-cause mortality and, therefore, the associated costs.