CARDIAC REHABILITATION-EXERCISE PARAMETERS

SUMMARY

1. In a patient with good left ventricular function & no infarction exercise intensities should range from 57-78% of VO₂ max or 70-85% max HR based on recent stress-test.

2. If a stress-test is not available, HR should be maintained 10 beats below angina-threshold.

3. In the poorly conditioned individual, daily exercise as low as 3-5 minutes/day can bring about improvement.

4. Low frequency of exercise to minimise the risk of recurrent arrhythmias.

5. Supervise patients according to the level of exertion and effort tolerance as determined by the Borg Rating of Perceive Exertion (PRE) scale.

Reference(s)

Cifu, D.X. (2020). Braddom’s physical medicine and rehabilitation. Elsevier. Get it on Amazon.
Cuccurullo, S. (2019). Physical medicine and rehabilitation board review. New York: Demosmedical. Get it on Amazon.
O’Young, B., Young, M.A. and Stiens, S.A. (2008). Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Secrets. Mosby. Get it on Amazon.