Cardiac rehabilitation has proven to have an important impact on diminishing morbidity and mortality in patients with cardiovascular disease who access it. However, it has been shown to be generally underutilized, especially by women, secondary to specific factors related to gender differences. This favors the emergence of a higher incidence of comorbidity and disability, with individual health costs for patients, and irreparable social costs. Participation in, and adherence to, cardiac rehabilitation programs is lower for women than men, while the benefits and results are evident in both men and women. Cardiac rehabilitation in women requires adjustments in exercise prescriptions, the approach to goals, the type of communication, and the educational tools used as part of the strategy to combat barriers to patient access, permanence and program completion.