Conditioning program for amputees with significant heart disease
Miller, L.S.; Naso, F.
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 57(5): 238-240
1976
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-9993 PMID: 1275674 Document Number: 103149
A program has been developed for training amputees with significant heart disease. In seven patients, a stress test was performed to evaluate cardiac functional capacity and heart rate response, utilizing both invasive and noninvasive techniques. Following this test, a conditioning program was instituted to improve cardiovascular function. At discharge and six week follow-up, all patients were able to ambulate at least 90 feet (27.4 meters) without excessive pulse rise or cardiac symptoms. This study demonstrates that by proper application of the principles of exercise physiology and cardiac pathophysiology, one should not necessarily deny a disabled patient wiith significant heart disease the opportunity to participate in a rehabilitation program.