Improvements in exercise capacity of older adults during cardiac rehabilitation.

Aims: Cardiac rehabilitation plays a vital role in secondary prevention of cardiovascular patients. Female sex and higher age, however, are associated with non-referral to cardiac rehabilitation. Improving exercise capacity during cardiac rehabilitation is essential to reduce morbidity and mortality risks.

Prognostic value of heart rate variability after acute myocardial infarction in the era of immediate reperfusion.

Introduction: The incidence and significance of impaired heart rate variability (HRV) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) have not yet been evaluated in cohorts of patients in whom early reperfusion was systematically attempted. Therefore, HRV was evaluated in 412 unselected patients with AMI (311 men, mean age: 60+/-12 years, anterior AMI in 172 patients) treated with direct coronary angioplasty (PTCA) within 12 hours of symptom onset (mean 3.5+/-2.