Rehabilitation of patients after acute myocardial infarction- an interdisciplinary, family-oriented program

Acute myocardial infarction causes a substantial number of patients to experience difficulties in readjustment to daily activities. It also has an effect on the patient's spouse and emotional state and on the dynamics of interpersonal familial relationships. It is suggested that an interdisciplinary (cardiologist, psychologist, physiotherapist, nurse, dietitian) family-oriented rehabilitation program, which provides medical follow-up, accurate information, psychological understanding and support, and physical training, will contribute to the improvement in life-style for the patient and his family. A long-term rehabilitation program for male patients is described along with a short-term program for those who are unable to take part in the main program. The conviction of the medical team as well as that of the patients, following 8 years of experience, is that the rehabilitation program is responsible for remarkable changes in patient life-style, improvements of family atmosphere, and adjustments of family members to the new situation.