One-year graduated exercise program for men with angina pectoris. Evaluation by physiologic studies and coronary...

Eight men, 45 to 50 years of age, with mild stable angina pectoris, participated in a graduated exercise program. Coronary arteriography, left ventriculography, left ventricular hemodynamics at rest and during supine leg exercise, treadmill testing with electrocardiographic monitoring, and measurement of oxygen uptake were obtained before and 1 year after the exercise training program. No change was noted in the arteriographic appearance of coronary artery lesions or of collateral circulation. Left ventricular performance, assessed by qualitative left ventriculography and the hemodynamic response of the left ventricle to supine leg exercise, was unchanged after the training program. Oxygen consumption for a given repetitive work load during treadmill exercise decreased. Two patients with a pretraining exercise ECG positive for ischemia reverted to a normal response after the exercise program. All had a decrease in angina, an increase in self-esteem, and a more positive attitude toward their work and their disability.