$Unique_ID{BRK00162}
$Pretitle{Circulatory System}
$Title{Will Rehabilitation Help You Survive a Myocardial Infarction?}
$Subject{heart attack rehabilitation}
$Volume{G-3}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Will Rehabilitation Help You Survive a Myocardial Infarction?


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QUESTION:  I suffered a myocardial infarction.  Will a rehabilitation program
help my survival chances?

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ANSWER:  There have been many studies concerning your question but to date
conclusive evidence has been very difficult to nail down for several important
reasons to the scientific community.
     First, in seven out of nine controlled scientific studies that involved
3,222 patients, results indicated that there definitely was a decrease in the
total death rate of post myocardial infarction patients who were involved in a
rehabilitation program--commonly called an exercise program.  The figures show
a 20-to-50 percent decrease.
     Now, at the very least, this was comparable to the benefits claimed for
several other clinically accepted forms of therapy for myocardial infarction
patients.  And it certainly was much less costly than some others.  For
instance, the annual cost of a well-designed cardiac rehabilitation program is
approximately one-seventyth the cost of surgery.
     Nevertheless, because there were a relatively small number of patients in
those trials, many participants did not stay with the studies for the required
lengths of time, some of the people who did continue were not careful in
complying with their exercises and other instructions, and because of
additional, more technical problems, the studies have been regarded by some
authorities as less than conclusive.
     It does, however, appear to be clear that a rehabilitation, or an
exercise, program can produce differing levels of improvement in the moods of
those participating and in their abilities to return to physical work earlier
than patients not taking part in the programs.
     Therefore, a growing number of physicians believe there is solid ground
for prescribing exercise-centered cardiac rehabilitation for their patients
who have suffered uncomplicated myocardial infarctions.  And so the answer to
your question, in my opinion, is a "yes" for I too, feel you will gain much
from a professionally conducted cardiac rehab program.
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
