The goals of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs have changed from improving fitness levels after prolonged bed rest to post-event deconditioning heart to a holistic approach to combat cardiovascular risk factors (CRF) (Savage et al., 2002). Obesity is a highly prevalent independent and modifiable CRF in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). Four studies evaluating the value of CR in reducing obesity and its associated risks were reviewed in chronological order below. The standard CR exercise intervention was examined in a retrospective study by Lavie and Milani (1997) of 588 coronary patients not on lipid-lowering therapy. drugs from two institutions to determine the effects of CR and weight reduction on exercise capacity and CRFs in obese CHD patients. In this study, 235 patients were divided into the obese group (body mass index (BMI) ≥ 27.3 kg/m2 in women and ≥ 27.8 kg/m2 in men) and 353 in the non-obese group. . In the obese group, 45 patients who had weight loss ≥5% were compared to 81 who did not. All subjects underwent 36 sessions of phase II outpatient CR for approximately three months and received diet and exercise counseling. Exercise training was prescribed at 70 to 85% of maximum heart rate determined during preintervention exercise testing or 10 to 15 beats/min below symptomatic or silent exercise-induced myocardial ischemia. Body weight, skinfold body fat percentage, BMI, plasma lipids, fasting blood glucose, and estimated exercise capacity were assessed as outcome measures three to eight weeks after a major coronary event. and one week after the end of the CR. reduction in BMI and weight but less improvement in long-term exercise capacity. Works cited Lavie, C. and Milani, R. (1997). Effects of cardiac rehabilitation, exercise training and weight reduction on exercise capacity, coronary risk factors, behavioral characteristics and quality of life of obese coronary patients. American Journal of Cardiology, 79: 397-401. Savage, P., Brochu, M., Poehlman, E. and Ades, P. (2003). Reduction of obesity and coronary risk factors after high-calorie exercise training in overweight coronary patients. American Heart Journal, 146: 317-23. Savage, P., Lee, M., Harvey-Berino, J., Brochu, M. and Ades, P. (2002). Weight reduction in cardiac rehabilitation settings. Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation, 22: 154-160. Shubair, M., Kodis, J., McKelvie, R., Arthur, H. and Sharma, A. (2004). Metabolic profile and exercise capacity outcomes. Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation, 24:405-413.