41Bridging the gender gap in Cardiac Rehabilitation. The first step: The equal opportunities project.

Women receive similar or greater benefits than men from Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR). However, they are less likely to participate. An integrated and gender-sensitive approach to cardiovascular disease is required to enhance the quality and experience of care for women with different cardiovascular issues throughout their lives. The Italian Alliance for Cardiovascular Rehabilitation and Prevention (ITACARE-P) is committed to developing a gender-specific approach to CR that will more effectively meet the needs of both women and men.