Cardiac Rehabilitation of Patients Following Myocardial Infarction

Myocardial infarction (MI) - represents cardiomyocytes necrosis due to prolonged myocardial ischemia, occurring in the context of an imbalance between myocardial oxygen supply and consumption. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, in 2017, mortality from cardiovascular diseases made up 58.4% of all deaths, of which ischemic heart disease (IHD) constituted 52.5% and 8.5% were due to acute myocardial infarction.

Cardiovascular rehabilitation is used to optimize the physical, psychological and social functioning of the patient who suffered a myocardial infarction. The session includes 3 phases: the warm-up, the actual training and the recovery (relaxation) phase. The program is individualized, so it is necessary to correctly select the type, intensity, duration and frequency for maximum therapeutic effect.

Exercise-based medical rehabilitation is a supplement to drug therapy and post-infarction interventional surgery, as it improves cardiopulmonary function, optimizes drug therapy, decreases risk factors, increases exercise tolerance, improves mental status, reduces the risk of repeated heart attack and cardiac mortality. There are fewer complications due to bed rest and increased performance as a result of improved hemodynamic and metabolic function. As part of a cardiac rehabilitation program, physical activity helps with psychological adaptation and contributes to a successful return to work.