Abstract. Rehabilitation of patients following an acute myocardial infarction remains one of the most urgent tasks of modern cardiology. Cardiac rehabilitation programs are aimed not only at improving the functioning of the cardiovascular system but also at ensuring the mental health of patients, restoring their working capacity, and returning to a full-quality life as soon as possible. Patients receive many benefits of cardiac rehabilitation from physical training. The main type of physical exercise in patients with cardiovascular diseases is aerobic training, which increases maximal oxygen consumption and improves cardiorespiratory endurance. The dosed training method is the basis of the development of the patient's functional adaptation to physical exertion in cardiovascular diseases. The objective was to develop and test the effectiveness of the physical therapy method proposed by the authors for the recovery of patients with acute myocardial infarction after stenting. Material and methods: clinical (standard) examination and interview of the patient, medical history, blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) measurement, pulse oximetry with saturation (SpO2) determination, orthostatic test, 10-meter walk test (10MWT), the Timed Up and Go test (TUG), the 6 Minute Walk Test (6MWT). 16 patients were enrolled in the study which lasted 5 weeks. Sessions according to the developed methodology of physical therapy were conducted with each patient for 12 days. Inclusion criteria: age between 50-80 years old, medical diagnosis: myocardial infarction, after stenting, no contraindications to cardiac rehabilitation. The effectiveness of the developed method of physical therapy for the recovery of patients with acute myocardial infarction after stenting was assessed. Changes in the performance of 10MWT, 6MWT, and TUG tests indicated improved adaptation and tolerance of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems to exercise, as well as normalization of blood pressure, heart rate, and SpO2. Conclusions. Physical exercises, according to the developed program of physical therapy, improve the general physical condition of patients, increase their functional capabilities, improve indicators of cardiovascular and respiratory system and have a positive effect on life quality. The study confirmed the importance of physical therapy in the recovery of patients with acute myocardial infarction after stenting.
Keywords:
myocardial infarction, physical therapy, cardiac rehabilitation