Rehabilitating Coronary Patients Through Exercise

Abstract

Before prescribing an exercise program for a middle-aged or elderly postcoronary patient, the physician should evaluate cardiac work tolerance with continuous electrocardiographic monitoring as the patient exercises on a bicycle ergometer or treadmill. He should also check pulse rate, arterial blood pressure (at rest and during exercise), heart volume and oxygen consumption. Once the program is started, he should regularly reevaluate the patient.