Cardiovascular and Pulmonary: Inpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation: Phase One

Question 1

Length of Hospital Stay for Uncomplicated MI

Answer 1

3-5 days

Question 2

Exercise Goals and Outcomes

Answer 2

• Initiate early return to independence with ADL’s

- Counteract deleterious effects of bed rest

Question 3

Exercise Guidelines

Answer 3

• Early supervised ambulation
• Initially low intensity 2-3 MET’s progressing to greater than or equal to 5 MET’s by DC
• Initially short duration high frequency progressing to long duration and less frequent

Question 4

Exercise Guidelines: Post MI

Answer 4

• Limited to 70% max HR and/or 5 MET’s until 6 weeks post MI

Question 5

Exercise Guidelines: Post Surgical Patients

Answer 5

• Typically progressed more rapidly than post MI

- Lifting activities are restricted generally for 6 weeks

Question 6

Patient and Family Education Goals

Answer 6

• Teach warning signs of exertional intolerance

Question 7

HEP

Answer 7

• Low risk patients candidates for unsupervised exercise at home
• Elderly homebound patients may benefit from home cardiac rehab
• Patients should be able to self monitor for exertional intolerance, family may want to be educated on CPR and AED.

Question 8

HEP: Ambulation

Answer 8

Gradual increase in ambulation time to

- Goal of 20-30 minutes, 1-2 times per day at 4-6 weeks post MI