Rehabilitation is the process of restoring or improving a person’s physical, cognitive, and psychological function following illness, injury, or surgery, with the goal of enabling them to live as independently and fully as possible. In the context of cardiac care and recovery from cardiac arrest, rehabilitation encompasses multiple dimensions of recovery.
Cardiac rehabilitation is a structured NHS programme that combines supervised exercise, education about heart health and risk factors, and psychological support. It is recommended for cardiac arrest survivors, people who have had a heart attack, and those who have had coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Evidence consistently shows it reduces hospital readmissions, improves quality of life, and lowers mortality.
Beyond cardiac rehabilitation, survivors may need neurological rehabilitation where hypoxic brain injury has affected memory, concentration, or executive function. Speech and language therapy may be needed where communication has been affected. Psychological rehabilitation addresses PTSD, depression, and health anxiety through therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and EMDR.
Rehabilitation is most effective when it is coordinated, multidisciplinary, and begins early. Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) is now recognised as a distinct rehabilitation challenge for critical care survivors. Not all areas of the UK have equal access to comprehensive rehabilitation services after cardiac arrest, and SCA UK advocates for improved post-arrest pathways.
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