Exercise rehabilitation in coronary heart disease: community group programs.

This paper outlines a suggested protocol for community exercise programs for the rehabilitation of patients with coronary heart disease. Information presented is based on more than seven years of experience gained by the Cardio-Pulmonary Research Institute through programs in Seattle, Mercer Island, and Yakima, WA, and in Portland, OR. Participants, referred by their personal physicians, meet three times weekly for individually prescribed group walking-jogging-calisthenic sessions lasting 45 minutes each. More than 900 individuals have participated in the program, which has been shown to be feasible, economical and safe.