Adaptation to low-intensity exercise on a cycle ergometer by patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing phase I cardiac rehabilitation.
BACKGROUND
The adaptation of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) to a phase I rehabilitation program has not been widely assessed.


RESULTS
Forty-two male patients (62+/-8 years) with AMI were classified as exercise tolerant (group A, n=25) or excessive response (systolic blood pressure (SBP) increase >30 mmHg during exercise; group B, n=17). Hemodynamic parameters during exercise using a cycle-ergometer were monitored for the first 3 days. The power of low- and high-frequency components (LF: 0.05-0.2 Hz; HF: 0.2-1 Hz) was analyzed by heart rate variability. Anxiety status was assessed using the Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Patients in group B were significantly older, had lower cardiac function and a longer hospitalization than group A (p<0.05, respectively). The excessive elevation of SBP on Day 1 decreased and became <30 mmHg on Day 3 in group B. The decreases in HF during exercise on Days 1 and 3 were significantly smaller in group B than in group A (p<0.05 and p<0.05, respectively). The LF/HF ratio on Day 1 was significantly higher in group B than in group A (p<0.05). In group B, the anxiety score before exercise was significantly higher than that at the time of discharge (p<0.05), whereas there was no change in group A.


CONCLUSIONS
Factors influencing a significant elevation of blood pressure during phase I rehabilitation are age, physical deconditioning, imbalance of autonomic nervous activity and anxiety.
Department of Rehabilitation, School of Allied Health Sciences, Kitasato University, Kanagawa, Japan.
Atsuhiko
A
Matsunaga
Takashi
T
Masuda
Misao N
MN
Ogura
Masakazu
M
Saitoh
Yusuke
Y
Kasahara
Takami
T
Iwamura
Minako
M
Yamaoka-Tojo
Kiyotaka
K
Sato
Tohru
T
Izumi
D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015444:Exercise; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*