Prof. Maria Bäck discusses the first dedicated ESC Guidelines on cardiac rehabilitation, why personalization and multidisciplinary care are central to their recommendations, and the importance of increasing referral to rehabilitation programs.

The first dedicated European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Guidelines on cardiac rehabilitation were released at ESC Congress 2026, bringing recommendations for rehabilitation across different cardiovascular conditions together within a single framework for the first time. The guidelines emphasize cardiac rehabilitation as an evidence-based intervention that can improve quality of life and physical functioning while reducing hospitalizations.

Prof. Maria Bäck, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden, and Chair of the ESC Guidelines Task Force, spoke with touchCARDIO about why the guidelines were needed, their key recommendations, and how clinicians can help improve participation in cardiac rehabilitation.

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Why was it important to develop dedicated ESC Guidelines on cardiac rehabilitation?

It is really exciting to be able to present the very first ESC Guidelines on cardiac rehabilitation. This is the first time an ESC guideline has brought the knowledge within cardiology together into one comprehensive framework.

Previously, cardiac rehabilitation was integrated into other European guidelines, for example those covering acute coronary syndromes or heart failure. We now have a much more comprehensive framework, which we hope can also help improve quality standards for cardiac rehabilitation in Europe and beyond.

What are some of the key messages clinicians should take away from the guidelines?

First of all, I would highlight that cardiac rehabilitation really is an evidence-based treatment. It can help reduce hospitalizations, improve quality of life, and help people return to a more active life.

I would also emphasize that cardiac rehabilitation is teamwork. It brings a multidisciplinary team together around the needs of the individual patient.

Cardiac rehabilitation includes pharmacotherapy and exercise training, but also lifestyle counseling, information and advice on psychosocial aspects, sexual health, and other areas. It is important that all of these core components are individualized to the patient.

Personalization is therefore something we really highlight in the guidelines, together with shared decision-making between patients and their healthcare providers.

Cardiac rehabilitation remains underused. How can these recommendations be better integrated into clinical practice?

That is a very important question because cardiac rehabilitation is indeed underused. Hopefully, these guidelines can help bring greater attention to cardiac rehabilitation.

We also have a dedicated chapter on how to increase participation and adherence to cardiac rehabilitation programs. Clinicians can find practical information there about how to refer their patients and support participation in cardiac rehabilitation.

What is the one change you would like cardiologists to make when they return to clinical practice after ESC Congress 2026?

I would say: refer your patients to cardiac rehabilitation.

The guidelines recommend cardiac rehabilitation across many different indications, extending well beyond acute coronary syndromes and heart failure to other cardiac diseases that can also benefit from rehabilitation.

I would also encourage clinicians to remember to personalize the cardiac rehabilitation program and really work together with the patient throughout the intervention.

→ Read the full guidelines here

→ Read our news article