Effects of Cardiac Rehabilitation in Patients after Myocardial Infarction – A Case Report

Abstract Purpose The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of cardiac rehabilitation in a patient after myocardial infarction (MI). Methods The participant in the study was a 58-year-old male with a medical history of myocardial infarction. The participant underwent a 25-day course of cardiac rehabilitation, with pre – and post-intervention outcome measures to assess his physical performance; the evaluation involved a treadmill exercise stress test according to the Bruce protocol. The total time and load of the test, maximal heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and the reason for discontinuing the study were determined. The rehabilitation protocol included cycling a cycloergometer, active exercises, resistance exercises and relaxation exercises. The level of exercise difficulty was increased weekly, starting from 2 METs (60% of the MET obtained during the stress test). Results During the exercise stress test performed following the completion of the rehabilitation management, the total stress test time was prolonged by 353 s, while the load of the test was increased by 5.64 METs as compared to the results obtained during the first examination. The maximal heart rate decreased by 12 beats/min, the systolic blood pressure by 15 mm Hg and the diastolic blood pressure by 10 mm Hg. The reason for discontinuing the test was fatigue (the score of 16 using the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion scale). Conclusions Cardiac rehabilitation with a higher-intensity training program supplemented by resistance training in patients after myocardial infarction is recommended.