Most patients under age 65 can return to work between 6 and 12 weeks after discharge. The return date takes into account the patient’s age, financial resources, existing diseases, and type of work. The physical and emotional stress associated with the job should be thoroughly explored.
Patients with uncomplicated myocardial infarctions are advised to increase activity and return to about 90% of the preinfarction level in three months. If at 6–10 weeks the exercise stress test and ejection fraction (the volume of blood the heart pumps) are satisfactory, the patient’s prognosis should be excellent. Types of exercise are discussed in the chapter Exercise and the Heart. Exercise at home should be graduated. During the first three days at home, walk in the house and for the remainder of the first week, walk outside the home 50–100 yards daily. During the second week walk 200 yards once or twice daily. In the third week cover 300 yards once or twice daily. During the fourth week go a quarter mile or 440 yards once or twice daily. In the fifth week, walk a half mile daily, and during the sixth week, walk one mile once or twice daily. This is a rough estimate of what you should be doing during the first six weeks after a heart attack. Thereafter, if you feel well and have no chest pain, you should be able to do more exercise such as joining an exercise program. One- to three-mile walks are usual by the eighth week post myocardial infarction. Doubles tennis, golf, and similar past times are reasonable at three months.

Страницы: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4