Cardiovascular diseases are the most common causes of mortality in Croatia and the world. In the first place is ischemic heart disease, and in the top ten leading causes of mortality are cerebrovascular diseases and cardiac failure. Cardiac surgery is indicated when conservative therapy failed. The most commonly performed cardiovascular procedures are for the treatment of complications of ischemic heart disease, heart valve disease and congenital heart failure. The interventions are often difficult and long lasting and patient recovery is slow and time-consuming. The main goal after surgery is to improve patient recovery and improve the quality of life. Then patient approaches to cardiac rehabilitation. Cardiac rehabilitation is a long-term and comprehensive program that includes medical assessment, physical activity, lifestyle changes, patient education and counseling. Exercise is the main component of rehabilitation. Cardiological rehabilitation is composed of three phases. The first phase is the hospital phase. It covers the postoperative period until the release of patients from the hospital. The second phase is a phase that is being conducted in specialized rehabilitation facilities with an emphasis on physical exercise and patient education. The third phase is complementary to the second phase and lasts for a lifetime. It is about keeping the patient in a new lifestyle. Patient get physical evaluation within primary health care and cardiologist control. In the first phase, the role of nurse is implementation of health care to establish physiological balance, pain relief, prevention of complications and education. In the second phase, the role of the nurse is to set up a sister's diagnosis, she participates in the planning of the patient's treatment, conducting diagnostic procedures and education.