BACKGROUND: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a multidisciplinary medical program. Most studies have emphasized the effect of exercise-based CR in lowering lipid levels; however, the effect of CR as a comprehensive program on lipid levels remains unclear. METHODS: Electronic database were searched up to 2022. Randomized controlled trials with lipid profile indicators were included. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) and 95% CIs were used to evaluate the effect size. Begg's funnel plot and Egger's linear regression test were used to assess publication bias. RESULTS: CR remarkably reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels (SMD -0.23; 95% CI -0.38 to -0.08; p < 0.001), triglyceride (TG) levels (SMD -0.17; 95% CI -0.28 to -0.06; p < 0.001), and total cholesterol (TC) levels (SMD -0.30; 95% CI -0.43 to -0.16; p < 0.001) and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels (SMD 0.19; 95% CI 0.10 to 0.29; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: CR reduce TC, TG, and LDL-C levels while improving HDL-C levels. CR should be promoted and more trials should be conducted for long-term CR.

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