Heart Attack

Myocardial infarction is one the leading causes of death in United States today. 1.5 million heart attacks occur in America each year. Of those attacks, 500,000 victims die. About 80% of those who have an MI will live. Many, however, will suffer from another one. Preventative measures must be incorporated into the lives of heart attack survivors so that potential recurrence

is limited. These preventative measures include eating habits and an exercise regimen that was probably absent in the person's life before the MI.

Survivors of MI's receive many instructions and prescriptions from their doctors and nurses about sticking to a new set of behaviors, such as not smoking and putting down that Twinkie. Many patients, however, find it quite difficult changing in all the ways that were prescribed. Many stop complying at all once they start to feel better.

Cardiac Rehabilitation

Cardiac rehabilitation for patients who are post MI is made up of three different elements: education, counseling and exercise therapy. Focusing on cardiac rehabilitation, it is much the same throughout the United States. A patient's physical status is evaluated by performing an n exercise-stress-test. An exercise program is then created. To make sure patients are experiencing safe yet effective results, they exercise up to about 60% of their maximum heart rate. These exercise regimens occur about three times a week lasting between one half to a full hour. These exercise sessions include a warm up exercise, working exercise, and a cool down. These sessions occur about 6 weeks after the myocardial infarction. These sessions last about three months, although it is suggested to a patient to continue with the exercise program.

Of all those things prescribed to an MI survivor, physical activity performed on a regular basis is considered quite valuable. Some physiological benefits include the adaptive changes that take place to meet the increased oxygen demands of aerobic exercise and a significant reduction in resting heart rate and exercise heart rate. Other studies have shown a reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressures in those who have included exercise in their regimen. Exercise therapy has also shown to increase stroke volume and cardiac output. This means that the ejection fraction has been increased. In individuals who exercise,