An exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation program improves cardiovascular fitness and perceived exertion (RPE) in cardiac patients. Afferent sensory feedback from increases in heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), workload (METs) and ventilation during volitional peak treadmill exercise test (GXT peak) are known to affect RPE. These responses may differ between depressed (DEP) and non-depressed (NON) cardiac patients. PURPOSE: To determine whether functional capacity (FC) and RPE rating would improve among depressed cardiac patients enrolled in a phase II cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program. METHODS: Participants (DEP-N=10; BDI-13 or above) and (NON-N=8; BDI-6 or below) who took both an entry and exit treadmill exercise stress test and underwent 25 sessions of CR exercise training program were assessed. Depressive symptoms were measured pre- and pos- intervention using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and structured diagnostic interview. Three -way ANOVAs with repeated measures were conducted to compare DEP and NON groups on measures of METS and RPE at 50%, 75%, and 100% exercise intensity levels of GXT peak. RESULTS: After CR exercise training program, there were no significant differences in the responses of DEP and NON groups (p > 0.005). Mean RPE scores (Borg scale) for both DEP and NON groups were significantly lower at the 50% intensity level of the exercise stress test, DEP (M = 11.1, SD = 1.7 to M = 9.0, SD = 2.8, p = 0.002); NON (M = 10.6, SD = 1.4 to M = 8.0, SD = 1.4, p = 0.015). The mean max MET scores significantly improved for both DEP and NON groups, DEP (M = 5.6, SD = 2.2 to M = 9.5, SD = 3.1, p = 0.001); NON (M = 6.2, SD = 1.8 to M = 11.8, SD = 2.1, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: After a CR exercise training program, depressed and non-depressed cardiac patients will increase FC, improve exercise tolerance, and most importantly lower RPE rating at the 50% exercise intensity level of GXT peak. This may motivate and enhance exercise adherence for depressed cardiac patients even after the CR program.