| Cardiac rehabilitation can be very helpful and is often prescribed for individuals with angina pectoris. With a specifically designed exercise program, an individual with angina pectoris can decrease his or her chest pain and substantially improve fitness levels. Rehabilitation addressing angina pectoris is progressed throughout phases used in many other cardiac conditions.
Phase 1 often begins with low levels of exercise to prevent excessive stress and overexertion and promote overall mobility of the body. Exercise may begin in the coronary care unit of a hospital starting with low-level exercise in the supine position. The individual progresses with exercises to sitting and eventually to standing. Progressive walking (ambulating) and eventual stair climbing are an important part of individual's exercise program while hospitalized.
Phase 2 usually begins after the individual is discharged from the hospital. Individuals not hospitalized because of angina pectoris usually begin at this phase. Goals are to improve functional capacity by increasing physical endurance and promoting return to activity. This is done in an outpatient setting such as a rehabilitation center. Individuals are typically attached to an ECG monitor, a device used to record the continuous electrical activity of the heart muscle. A physical therapist keeps a daily log of the individual's blood pressure, heart rate, and cardiac rhythm, both during exercise and at rest.
Phase 3 continues in the outpatient setting such as a rehabilitation center. Usually 3 to 6 months have lapsed from the start of rehabilitation to this point. Depending on the individual's condition, this phase may last for several months. Individuals may stay involved with an outpatient program for up to a year to accomplish all their goals. Eventually, the patient is advanced to higher levels of exercise with the addition of recreational activities as tolerated. This should be supplemented by an increase in daily lifestyle activities such as walking breaks at work, using stairs, gardening, and household work. Individuals should also be encouraged to decrease weight and stop smoking if necessary, in addition to increasing daily exercise.
Modifications may be needed in the rehabilitation program if anxiety or musculoskeletal pain occurs. Relaxation techniques and counseling may help determine the sources of the anxiety. Inflammation of the cartilage of the rib cage and/or sore chest muscles can also interfere with the rehabilitation process and should be addressed. |
Source: Medical Disability Advisor