Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation for coronary heart disease: the CaReMATCH individual participant data meta-analysis
Authors' conclusion
Our IPD meta-analysis, reflecting trials published since 2010, highlighted that contemporary ExCR is effective in reducing risk of hospitalization and improving HRQoL in those with CHD.
Study context
- Population
- People with coronary heart disease (CHD) (93.5% post-MI); trials published since 2010
- Participants
- 4,975 people8 trials
- Comparison
- ExCR vs no ExCR controls
- Outcome
- All-cause and CVD-related hospitalization; HRQoL (utility index); all-cause and CVD mortality
- Follow-up
- Up to 12 months
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
ExCR vs ControlsHazard ratio (95% CI)
All-cause hospitalization
0.68(0.53–0.87)
CVD-related hospitalization
0.62(0.47–0.83)
All-cause mortality; no difference
0.99(0.74–1.32)
CVD mortality; no difference
0.80(0.32–2.04)
ExCR vs ControlsMean difference, utility index (95% CI)
HRQoL
0.032(0.003–0.061)
Further pooled results
- Stronger HRQoL improvement with ExCR in lower HRQoL and lower education level
- Larger hospitalization reductions with lower LVEF, lower baseline exercise capacity, beta-blocker use, previous cardiovascular disease (CVD)
- No other subgroup effects
Original publication
Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation for coronary heart disease: the CaReMATCH individual participant data meta-analysis. Eur J Prev Cardiol. Published 12 October 2025. doi:10.
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