Patient advised to rest and participate in light-intensity physical activity

1–2 weeks prior to the scheduled surgical date, patient attends single, 3 h cardiac assessment with nurse practitioner and cardiac anaesthesiologist

Patient receives counselling on basic healthy living behaviours

Patient will receive, in addition to standard care, 8-week exercise and education programme at community-based cardiac rehabilitation facility

Patient will undergo an intake health status assessment

Patient will be required to attend two supervised exercise sessions per week:

1. Warm-up of approximately 15 min including stretching

2. 10–30 min of aerobic exercise at 40–60% of heart rate reserve progressing to high-intensity interval training up to 85% of aerobic capacity, based on recommendations by cardiologist

3. 10 min cool-down period

Patient will participate in four educational sessions covering a range of topics including risk factor reduction, medication use, cardiovascular physiology, smoking cessation, healthy eating, stress management and promotion of self-managed care