[The long-term physical training of patients with functional class-III stenocardia who have had a myocardial infarct]

Twenty-six patients who suffered myocardial infarction associated with FC III angina pectoris were examined for the effect of physical training on the health status. 25 patients made up the control group. Physical training lasted II months and included remedial exercise, bicycle ergometry training, and graded walking. The central hemodynamics at rest and during exercise was assessed by tetrapolar chest rheography. All reactions in the hemodynamics were analyzed in respect to the status at rest. Ultrasound sectorial scanning was used to study left ventricular contractile function at rest. The patients undergoing training manifested a decrease of angina pectoris manifestations, a considerable rise of work fitness, improvement of the hemodynamic response towards physical exercise, corresponding to 75% of the initial threshold level. In the control group patients, the clinical status, work fitness and the hemodynamic response towards exercise did not undergo any substantial changes. Neither main nor control group demonstrated any appreciable changes on the part of left ventricular contractile function.