[Rehabilitation potential after myocardial infarction]

Abstract

For determination of the individual rehabilitation potential in patients after myocardial infarction, factors were extracted which are of importance for exercise capacity and its influence upon rehabilitation measures. Further results of exercise tests were correlated with psychological tests (Freiburg-personality-inventory) and the results of a patients' questionnaire for individual self-assessment, with concerning restitution by means of rehabilitation measures. 147 patients were admitted to a controlled rehabilitation program 10 weeks after myocardial infarction or later. Mean increase of exercise capacity after one year of rehabilitation was 21.6% of the initial test. Significantly greater increases of exercise capacity were achieved in patients with regular attendance particularly in younger patients in comparison with older patients. As evidenced by ergometric test data initially low maximal heart rate, low increase of heart rate, low exercise capacity and low double product were correlated with greater increase of exercise capacity. Patients with anterior-wall myocardial infarction tended to increased exercise capacity more. A relation between "psychosomatic disturbance" at onset of rehabilitation and a greater increase of exercise capacity could be determined as a trend. Connections between psychosocial factors and determinants of exercise capacity in influencing the rehabilitation potential are discussed.