Medisan (Jun 2021)

Influence of physical therapy in the functional capacity of patients with ischemic cardiopathy

  • Lisset María del Prado de la Torre,
  • Ernesto Cartaya Ortiz

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 25, no. 3
pp. 662 – 674

Abstract

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Introduction: Patients with a history of ischemic cardiopathy generally don´t want to abandon a physical or sport activity; on the other side, they can undoubtedly obtain benefits from a physical exercise plan which brings a better life quality. Objective: To evaluate he functional capacity of patients with ischemic cardiopathy who have been rehabilitated with physical therapy, according to the ergometric trace. Method: A descriptive, longitudinal and prospective study was carried out in the Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Service from Dr. Juan Bruno Zayas Teaching in Santiago de Cuba during the biennium 2007-2019, in 41 patients who had suffered from a myocardial infarction and were included in a cardiovascular rehabilitation program. To determine the functional capacity, the cardiovascular risk level was compared to the functional class before and after the physical exercise. Results: It was achieved to modify the ergometric response in 87.8 % after applying the rehabilitation program, while the cardiovascular state according to the risk level of the patients was modified in 68.2 % towards the low risk and the functional capacity showed an improvement of 82.9 %. Conclusions: The implementation of a cardiac rehabilitation program was useful in most of the patients, and a significant improvement of the evaluated cardiovascular parameters was obtained, what pointed at a reestablishment of the life quality and of tolerance to efforts.

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