What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Other. Population: Cardiovascular disease (n=20). Intervention: Cardiac rehabilitation. Primary outcome: Patient-reported barriers to and preferences for attending cardiac rehabilitation.

What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to explore the barriers and preferences for cardiac rehabilitation among women with cardiovascular disease in Canada, focusing on age differences.

July 14, 2026Advances in Rehabilitation0 citationsOpen Access

Patient-informed insights among women in cardiac rehabilitation across Canada: Is it time to pay more attention to age?

MCMarianne ClarkAcadia University OMOlivia MollerAcadia University KBKaren BouchardUniversity of Ottawa

Key Result

Younger and middle-aged women in cardiac rehabilitation reported feelings of isolation and a strong preference for age-tailored programming to address their unique life-stage needs.

Key Points

This research aims to explore the barriers and preferences for cardiac rehabilitation among women with cardiovascular disease in Canada, focusing on age differences.
Conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 women with cardiovascular disease from 5 provinces in Canada.
Applied deductive thematic analysis to categorize interview responses based on age groups.
Younger women (30%) felt isolated in CR groups, lacking peers with similar experiences.
Both younger and middle-aged women (45%) faced barriers in asking age-relevant questions among older participants (25%).
A strong preference was expressed for tailoring cardiac rehabilitation classes according to age.

Structured PICO

What are the barriers to and preferences for attending cardiac rehabilitation among women with cardiovascular disease across different age groups?

Population

20 women aged 25 to 85 years with established cardiovascular disease who had attended at least one cardiac rehabilitation program in Canada.

Exposure

Semi-structured interviews exploring barriers to and preferences for attending cardiac rehabilitation

Outcome

Barriers to and preferences for attending cardiac rehabilitationpatient reported

Cardiac rehabilitation programming for women should be tailored to participants' age and life-stage to reduce feelings of isolation and improve engagement.

Limitations

Sample consisted of cisgender women from only five of ten provinces in Canada
Retrospective self-reports may be subject to recall bias
Participants were predominantly Caucasian and English-speaking

Abstract

Abstract Background Women with cardiovascular disease (CVD) are less likely to be referred to, enrol in, and adhere to a cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programme. The prevalence of CVD is increasing among younger adults (under 65 years). Material and methods Using a qualitative descriptive design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with women with CVD across Canada to explore barriers to and preferences for attending CR. Using deductive thematic analysis, interview responses were reviewed, coded, and categorised into themes and subcategories according to age group. Results A total of 20 women (30% younger, 45% middle-aged and 25% older-aged) from 5 provinces in Canada participated in this study. Younger women reported feelings of isolation as the youngest in CR groups and peer/support groups, noting the absence of peers with similar experiences. Younger and middle-aged women noted barriers to asking age-relevant questions when surrounded by older participants, and a strong preference emerged for tailoring CR classes to participants of similar ages‥ Conclusions To meet the needs of women recovering from cardiac events, CR programming should be sensitive to participants’ age, life-stage, and associated responsibilities.

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