[Intramural rehabilitation following infarction]

Major objectives of a comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation include not only an increased functional capacity by physical training with aerobic exercise as a cornerstone, a reduction in morbidity and mortality by secondary preventive measures and a rapid return to work, but also an improvement in subsequent quality of life. Different forms of rehabilitation programs may be equally successful: a four-week institutional rehabilitation course or an outpatient rehabilitation program with 2 to 3 weekly training sessions for 3 to 6 months. If the guidelines for graduated activity are respected, the training bears a low risk. Patients with low exercise capacity for cardiac, vascular or other reasons, as those otherwise handicapped, should not join a formal rehabilitation program, but should be followed on an individual basis. In those patients as well as in many others the home physician plays a crucial role in the long-time supervision and counseling.