Exploring Gender Differences in Social Support in Cardiac Rehabilitation: A Comprehensive Review

This comprehensive narrative review examines how social support influences participation in Phase 2 cardiac rehabilitation (CR2), a commonly structured 12-week outpatient program focused on supervised exercise, education, and lifestyle change. Literature published between 2005 and the present was reviewed across four databases, resulting in four studies that met the inclusion criteria. Social support was described across three dimensions (emotional, informational, and practical) to explore how these forms of support intersect with gender‑related patterns in health behaviors, coping, and engagement in CR2. Key findings indicated that women tend to rely more on emotional support, while men often benefit from practical assistance. Non‑traditional support networks, such as neighbors and volunteers, were also found to facilitate participation for both genders. These insights highlight the need for gender‑sensitive CR2 programming and policies to strengthen support systems, address disparities in involvement, and improve long‑term recovery outcomes.