Guidelines for exercise training of elderly patients with coronary artery disease.

Exercise rehabilitation of elderly patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) can improve physical work capacity and endurance, prolong an active life-style, and retard disability and dependency. Exercise can further favorably affect psychosocial status. With only modest modification of the guidelines used at younger ages, low to moderate intensity exercise rehabilitation can be safely implemented for most elderly patients with CAD. Recommendations for activity levels must incorporate consideration of the structural and functional cardiovascular changes of aging, those due to cardiac dysfunction, and those related to coexisting illnesses.