As part of the rehabilitation program for myocardial infarction patients, assisted exercise under the eye of therapists is an effective rehabilitation therapy during the period from hospital discharge to the returning to work. Regrettably, however, this part of the program is not put into regular practice in rehabilitation centers yet.
Under the circumstances, we have conducted this type of therapy for myocardial infartion convalescents, and assessed it significance and benefits by examining therapeutic effects and changes in the endurace test results as well as changes in the cardiac output during exercise.
In this study, we used data obtained from 25 out of the 68 acute myocardial infarction patients treated in the coronary-care unit of our hospital between Nov. 1, 1990 and May 31, 1992.
Exercises were performed three times a week for eight to 12 weeks, kinetic intensity correspond-ing to 70-80 % of the highest heart rate in stress tests. The heart rate, blood pressure and cardiac output were measured based on ECG recordings.
As a result, it was found that the kinesitherapy helps (1) increase the tolerability to exercise, (2) lower the heart rate, blood pressure and double product and (3) elevate the stroke volume index during exercise.
From these findings, it is safe to say that the kinesitherapy can be given to myocardial infarction victims without causing them anxiety and is very helpful for them to restore good health and normal cardiac function and to resume their place in society.