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Exercise Following Myocardial Infarction

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Abstract

Cardiac rehabilitation services are comprehensive long term programmes designed to limit the physiological and psychological effects of cardiovascular disease (CVD), control cardiac symptoms and reduce the risk of subsequent CVD events by stabilising or partially reversing the underlying atherosclerosis process through risk factor modification. Exercise training is the cornerstone of such programmes. Ideally, exercise conditioning or training for the stable cardiac patient should include a combination of cardiorespiratory endurance (aerobic) training, arm exercises and muscular conditioning resistance (strength) training. Flexibility exercises should also be performed, usually as part of the warm-up and cool-down routines preceding and following endurance and strength training. This review discusses the potential physiological, psychological and health benefits of regular exercise and provides guidelines for exercise training for the rehabilitation of post-myocardial infarction patients following hospitalisation.

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Notes

  1. 1 MET is the energy requirement of sitting rest approximately equal to 3.5ml of oxygen uptake per kg of bodyweight per minute.

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Acknowledgements

Dr Leon is supported in part by the Henry L. Taylor Professorship in Exercise Science and Health Enhancement and by the University of Minnesota Heart Disease Prevention Clinic. Appreciation is expressed to Marilyn Borkon for preparation of this manuscript, and to Barry Franklin for his thorough editorial review. This paper is dedicated to the memory of my dear friends Michael Pollock and Herman Hellerstein, both pioneers in the exercise rehabilitation of cardiac patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Physiological Hygiene and Exercise Science, Division of Kinesiology and Heart Disease Prevention Clinic, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Cooke Hall 202, 1900 University Avenue SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455, USA

    Arthur S. Leon

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Correspondence to Arthur S. Leon.

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Leon, A.S. Exercise Following Myocardial Infarction. Sports Med 29, 301–311 (2000). https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-200029050-00002

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