Chronic conditions such as coronary heart disease should be managed for the most part in primary care.  A significant part of the management is about empowering patients to monitor and manage their condition. The Bexley cardiac rehabilitation programme uses education as a powerful tool to help patients make the changes needed to improve their health. The programme is run from several sites in the community and has patient education at its core. This includes medicines management, dietary advice,  exercise coaching, risk factor reduction and motivational support.  

The major benefit is a reduced mortality. Several analyses have found that cardiac rehabilitation reduces cardiac related mortality by as much as 25%. A 2004 study also found that participating in cardiac rehabilitation reduces the risk of having a heart attack by 28%. It also significantly redcues readmission to hospital with cardiac related problems. People who go through cardiac rehabilitation also have greater improvements in cholesterol levels and blood pressure and lower stress and smoking rates, than those who do not. In addition they have fewer episodes of cardiac ischemia (reduced blood flow to the heart); slowed development (even reversal) of fatty plaque buildup in the arteries of the heart; weight loss; reduced need for heart-related medication; improved physical functioning and relief from depression, fear, and anxiety.