[Optimizing the exercise schedules of late middle-aged patients with chronic forms of ischemic heart disease]

The effects of different types of exercise on the results of bicycle ergometry were assessed in 83 coronary patients, aged 60 to 74 years, in the absence of heart failure, arterial hypertension, or medication, in conditions of a cardiovascular sanatorium. The patients were divided in 3 groups according to their training pulse rates, defined as follows: Training PR = resting PR + n X (threshold PR-resting PR), where n was equivalent to 0.5, 0.75, or 0.9, respectively. The best results were obtained in group 2 where n was 0.75, with a significant decrease in resting pulse rate and systolic arterial BP at the peak of exercise, the greatest increase in stress tolerance and total output at comparable physical stress levels. It is therefore concluded that exercise at such physical stress level was optimal for those patients.