Compared to the situation in other European countries and the United States, Switzerland chiefly offers inpatient cardiac rehabilitation programmes (CRP). In the opinion of specialists and medical literature, we can expect an increased number of patients with cardiovascular diseases in the next 15 years, as well as a widening of indications for CRP among older patients and those with advanced cardiac conditions. We conducted an inquiry among professionals practising or prescribing CRP in order to estimate population needs and coverage for CRP and to identify the factors that will determine its future. Based on various sources of information, we estimated the incidence of coronary events and demand for CRP in the Canton of Vaud. Cardiac rehabilitation centers provided their occupation statistics for 1993. Simulations were carried out based on the opinion of specialists and expected demographic trends for the next 15 years. In recent years, 600 to 700 patients have been annually enrolled in CRP. Among patients admitted to acute care hospitals after myocardial infarction, 65% of those under 65 years of age and 14% of those between 65 and 74 entered CRP programmes. Most of them followed inpatient programmes in two private clinics which currently cover CRP needs with a capacity of 1500 patients a year. If we expect a 20% increase in the rate of coronary events over the next 15 years, due to demographic trends, without a change in the incidence of coronary disease, the present resources in residential CRP will remain sufficient. However, we can expect that part of the patient surplus will enter outpatient CRP programmes.