(HealthDay News) -- A cardiac rehabilitation program is designed to help people recover from a heart attack, heart surgery or another medical procedure involving the cardiovascular system.

Cardiac rehabilitation involves educating and counseling people about making lifestyle changes, getting healthier, exercising and minimizing the risk of a future cardiac event.

The American Heart Association offers this list of people who may benefit from a cardiac rehabilitation program:

• Someone who has had a heart attack.
• Someone with heart failure, angina or coronary artery disease.
• Someone who has had cardiovascular surgery, such as a coronary artery bypass graft, coronary angioplasty and stenting, or valve replacement.
• Someone who has had a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator installed.