[Are swimming and sauna hazardous in the rehabilitation of heart patients?].
The incidence of cardiac arrhythmias and ischemic episodes (I) during swimming and sauna as compared to other types of physical exercise was studied in 18 patients with coronary disease and in 18 controls without heart disease (mean age 46 and 48 years respectively). Maximum achieved heart rates during swimming and sauna were lower by at least 10% than those achieved during bicycle ergometry. Angina and/or ST segment displacement greater than or equal to 1 mm and frequent (greater than 1/min), multiform or repetitive VPB's occurred more frequently in coronary patients than in controls (I: 50 vs 11%, VPB's: 72 vs 28%, both p less than 0.005). VPB's were observed in 13/18 coronary patients, 6 of whom had these VPB's during swimming or sauna. Repetitive VPB's did not occur during swimming, but occurred during sauna in 2 coronary patients in whom they were also present during rest and walking. Ischemic episodes were noted in 9/18 coronary patients in 5 of whom they occurred during swimming. No ischemias were noted during sauna. It is concluded that swimming and sauna may safely be recommended during rehabilitation of coronary patients provided a submaximal exercise test and possibly a 24-h Holter ECG are performed on entry to exclude patients at risk.
D000328:Adult; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000209:etiology; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D029002:Steam Bath; D013550:Swimming
Sind Schwimmen und Sauna bei der Rehabilitation von Herzpatienten gefährlich?