An increasing number of Danes are living, and dying, with cardiovascular disease. There is good evidence for the impact of cardiac rehabilitation on coronary heart disease, heart failure and symptomatic peripheral arterial disease. However, more high-quality research is needed into a wider range of cardiac diseases including rehabilitation following cardiac arrest, and palliative care for patients with advanced heart disease. In this review it is discussed how to improve the quality of care and identify the direction of future research and development.