Rehabilitation in older coronary patients

Modern medicine dictates a more active therapeutic approach in the geriatric population. This review summarizes relevant data on cardiac rehabilitation in patients aged 65 years or older. The cardiovascular risk factors in the elderly are similar to those in younger people; thus, treating hypertension or hypercholesterolemia, cessation of smoking, and changing of life style and proper diet are recommended regardless of age. Cardiovascular function gradually declines with age, and the incidence of atherosclerotic heart disease increases. Rehabilitation programs for elderly patients with postmyocardial infarction should be specifically designed, particularly for exercise training. Special attention should be paid to warmup and cool-down periods, upgrading the intensity of exercise, and programming the muscular conditioning component. On the whole, cardiac rehabilitation in the elderly is cost-effective. It should consider the individual's general health, risk factor profile, cardiac status, and mental response.