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