Cardiac Rehab

Posted By Marcy on December 08, 1998 at 16:41:51:







I have written before about my elderly (78 years old) friend who had a heart attack in July, spent 5 weeks in the hospital, and 7 at home.   Eventually had a stent put in and was told to get int a cardiac rehab program.  Heart output was estimated at 30%.  He did go for a stress test and had to stop after 2 1/2 minutes because his legs gave out.  He just went to a cardiac rehab center (Lutheran General in Park Ridge, Il) and they told him to do a stretching exercise before they pre-test him for the cardiac rehab program.  He had to stop because he got dizzy.  Then they told him to go back to the doctor and get a letter indicating he should be in rehab.  Any idea what is going on here?  Is the heart damage so bad that the cardiac rehab will do any good?  He also seems to have a change in personality - depressed (as I discussed before), but now is extremely nasty.  Is this usual?  Thank you in advance for your help...I would like to know what to expect as far as a future prognosis.  He will not ask questions; prefers to be in the dark