Abstract Background: Physical activity is an important part of cardiac rehabilitation after a heart-attack, but the use and adherence of physical activity and cardiac rehabilitation programs have been shown to be low in previous research. Aim: To critically examine and compile the scientific evidence regarding the effect of cardiac rehabilitation programs on complience with physical activity. Method: A descriptive literature study. After searching the database in the PubMed database, the methodological quality of 11 articles was assessed according to SBU's review templates. The methodological quality of the articles was compiled into low methodological quality, medium high methodological quality and high methodological quality. Main result: Three studies were considered to have low methodological quality, five studies with medium methodological quality and three studies with high methodological quality. The weighted results regarding the effect of cardiac rehabilitation programs on adherence to physical activity showed that the programs helped patients to perform physical activity. The studies that examined compliance in a central-based group compared with a home-based group showed the highest compliance in most home-based groups. Conclusion: There is a high methodological and scientific basis for concluding that cardiac rehabilitation programs strengthen the patient's compliance with physical activity. A home-based rehabilitation program is considered to have greater compliance than a central-based program.