The Rehabilitation and Return to Duty of a Male Firefighter After a Myocardial Infarction: A Case Study.

INTRODUCTION This study describes the rehabilitation of a 36 year old male firefighter who suffered a myocardial infarction (MI) and completed his rehabilitation with an athletic trainer. Something of a similar nature would typically end someone's career regardless of how physical their job is. However, it is possible with proper care and rehabilitation to return to duty after such an event. PATIENT The patient was a 36 year old male firefighter whose primary risk factors for a MI are being obese and having a poor diet. He suffered the MI while on a cruise which delayed his care. He had a stent placed in the affected artery and was prescribed beta blockers. This case is different because his rehabilitation was programmed by an athletic trainer and completed at the fire station and included job specific training. INTERVENTION The rehabilitation was completed across 74 sessions that consisted of exercise and/or exercise testing. He continued to exercise and make dietary adjustments after his rehabilitation was completed. These sessions started with performing activities of daily living and progressed to strength and conditioning exercises, and they eventually progressed to job specific training. COMPARISON Most American rehabilitation programs for a MI last a total of 36 sessions and do not include any kind of return to duty plan for physical jobs such as being a firefighter. The standard set for the intensity of the rehabilitation in the typical standard does not encompass a progression to rigorous exercise or a return to duty protocol. OUTCOME The interventions completed in this case have had a positive outcome. He has returned to full duty with the fire department. The increased number of sessions and the progression that they followed seems to have resulted in a better outcome than others who have suffered a similar event.