Cardiac Rehabilitation in the Mid-1980s

In brief: The cardiac rehabilitation program al Georgia Baptist Medical Center in Atlanta, one of more than 700 such programs in the United States, gives an idea of the state of the art. The program consists of training and supervision in exercise, nutrition, and stress management. Inpatient care involves aggressive treatment, early mobilization, and predischarge treadmill testing. Immediately after discharge, patients follow either a prescribed norne exercise regimen or a telemetry-monitored program in the hospital gymnasium. Late-postdischarge patients perform various aerobic exercise routines at least three times a week. Home exercise programs clearly improve cardiorespiratory fitness and save money. Although it is not" yet clear that such Programs reduce mortality, the evidence Joints in that direction.