National Cardiac Rehabilitation Week

National Cardiac Rehabilitation Week

In February, which is American Heart Month, the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR) attracts attention to its Cardiac Rehabilitation Week. In addition, Cardiac Rehabilitation Week is part of a larger campaign focusing on heart health and fighting the devastating effects of heart disease. Each year, the AACVPR celebrates National Cardiac Rehabilitation Week on the second full week of February. The awareness color for cardiac rehabilitation is red. Wear a red enamel awareness ribbon pin, red fabric ribbon, or red silicone wristband bracelet. Personalized Cause offers both a personalized and non-personalized version of each awareness product, available on this website.

The idea behind this event is to direct nationwide attention to cardiac rehabilitation. For example, cardiac rehabilitation is a key component in the improvement of the health and physical condition of the at-risk population. This includes those who are already suffering from heart disease or dysfunction. In addition, cardiac rehab strengthens the heart. It may start with walking down the hallway in the hospital and progress to riding a stationary bike several times a week. But exercise is only one part of a cardiac rehab program. It also includes stress management, nutrition counseling, and help managing chronic conditions.

Do Your Part for Your Heart for National Cardiac Rehabilitation Week

National Cardiac Rehabilitation Week is hosted each year across the nation in hospitals, exercise facilities, and outpatient rehabilitation centers. In addition, it always coincides with Valentine’s Day.

Raising Awareness 

At the request of their own patients, family members, and staff, a host of physicians and health centers host events to celebrate heart health accomplishments. They also raise a general awareness of the risk factors and potential remedies of heart disease.

Suggestions for Cardiac Rehabilitation Week include:

• Educational programs or seminars for health professionals and the community at large.
• Open houses for the community and local health professionals, including rehabilitation program graduates.
• Risk factor screenings, smoking cessation clinics or heart-healthy cooking classes. These events are both educational and fun!
• Awareness walks, runs, bike rides or any other sporting and social event. These are perfect venues to set up donation stations to collect money for heart-related research and funding. In addition, the proceeds can go to programs, AACVPR, or other projects, such as a patient library.
• Cafeterias serving heart-healthy meals during AACVPR National Cardiac Rehabilitation Week.
• Smoke out campaigns in local communities.
• Health fairs.

These are some of the things you can do to heighten publicity and advertising:

• Ask your mayor to issue an official proclamation for AACVPR National Cardiac Rehabilitation Week.
• Notify local media concerning coverage of events and spreading the word.
• Suggest or provide speakers on cardiac rehabilitation to local organizations and clubs.
• Advertise the week and its events in newsletters and bulletins, social media, hang a display at a professional facility, public library, senior center, local grocery store or shopping mall of choice. In addition, when attending an event, take plenty of snapshots and post them on social media.
• Get friends and family involved.
• Find sponsors or co-sponsors to make the event or any of the events you are attending more visible.

Lastly, feel free to inquire at and share your plans with AACVPR or your local affiliate for this year’s program or any promotional idea that you may have.

(Image: Photo by Maxim Tolchinskiy on Unsplash)