Normal activities versus cardiac rehabilitation - Medical News From Around The World

Nutrition Health Review, Fall, 2002

AUSTRALIA -- There have been many economic and medical studies on cardiac rehabilitation after acute myocardial infarction (AMI), but few have addressed the concerns of low-risk patients or control groups with no rehabilitation at all.

Australian researchers evaluated a random study in which patients who had had an AMI returned to normal activities 6 weeks after rehabilitation versus patients who returned to normal activities without rehabilitation 2 weeks after an AMI. Four quality-of-life measures were followed: physical abilities, distress, usual or social activities, and self-care.

No statistically significant differences were reported between the two groups. The results suggest that an early return to activities after a minor heart attack is not detrimental and may save a considerable amount of money in medical expenses.

Source: Journal of the American Medical Association, June 26, 2002.