WakeMed’s Cardiac Rehab Programs Certified by Industry Leader

RALEIGH, N.C. (September 25, 2025) – WakeMed is proud to announce the certification of its Cardiac Rehab Programs at both WakeMed Raleigh Campus and WakeMed Healthpark at Kildaire by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR). This certification is recognition of WakeMed’s commitment to improving the quality of life of patients by enhancing standards of care.

Cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation programs are designed to help people with cardiovascular problems (e.g., heart attacks, coronary artery bypass graft surgery) and pulmonary problems (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD], respiratory symptoms) recover faster and live healthier. Both programs include exercise, education, counseling and support for patients and their families.

WakeMed Cardiac Rehab offers a safe, monitored environment where patients can gain the strength, confidence, camaraderie and nutritional know-how to live a heart-healthy life. The program is tailored for those recovering from cardiac events such as a heart attack, heart surgery (including bypass or valve repair/replacement), angioplasty or stent placement, heart failure or stable angina. WakeMed Cardiac Rehab is medically supervised by physicians and supported by a dedicated team of nurses, counselors, nutritionists, and exercise and fitness specialists.

To earn accreditation, WakeMed participated in an application process that requires extensive documentation of the Cardiac Rehab program’s practices. AACVPR Program Certification is the only peer-review accreditation process designed to review individual programs for adherence to standards and guidelines developed and published by AACVPR and other related professional societies. Each program’s application is reviewed by the AACVPR Program Certification Committee, and certification is awarded by the AACVPR Board of Directors.

In 2018, AACVPR moved to an outcomes-based process with performance measurements that represent more meaningful outcomes. Therefore, AACVPR-certified programs are leaders in the cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation field because they offer the most advanced practices available and have proven track records of high-quality patient care. AACVPR Program Certification is valid for three years.

About WakeMed Health & Hospitals

Serving the community since 1961, WakeMed is a not-for-profit health care system founded and based in Raleigh, N.C. WakeMed exists to improve the health and well-being of our community by providing outstanding and compassionate care to all. WakeMed’s 973-bed system comprises a network of facilities throughout the Triangle area, including three full-service hospitals, a mental health & well-being hospital, eight emergency departments, a dedicated Children’s Hospital and Rehabilitation Hospital, two exceptional Trauma Centers—a Level I Trauma Center in Raleigh and a Level III Trauma Center in Cary, and more than 175 physician and physical therapy practice offices. WakeMed’s mission-driven team includes more than 12,500 employees, 1,200 volunteers, and 1,300 affiliated physicians along with a network of 900+ primary care and specialty providers with WakeMed Physician Practices—all representing the best minds and the biggest hearts and the finest quality in health care and community health. For more information, visit www.wakemed.org or follow WakeMed on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

About AACVPR

Founded in 1985, the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation is a multidisciplinary organization dedicated to the mission of reducing morbidity, mortality and disability from cardiovascular and pulmonary disease through education, prevention, rehabilitation, research and disease management. Central to the core mission is improvement in quality of life for patients and their families.