Extent of possible rehabilitation of service personnel with ischaemic heart disease.

Sixty unselected survivors from ischaemic heart disease, all male service personnel, were treated, within 1 to 6 months of recovery from the acute episode, by promotion of physical activity, correction of coronary risk factors, and routine use of nicoumalone and prenylamine lactate. The results showed that this approach was conducive to more rewarding rehabilitation than was obtained in 89 patients who, in the past, were on conventional treatment based on advice regarding weight, diet, and physical and mental activity. Thus within 1 to 30 months of treatment by this approach, out of 60 patients, 12 were fit for medical category A active service duties in operational areas in any part of the world in any terrain, including altitudes between 10,000 and 18,000 feet, 30 were fit for medical category B service duties in non-operational communication zones in any part of the world including altitudes below 10,000 feet, and 17 were fit for medical category C sedentary duties in non-operational areas in India only. One patient, who initially recovered from congestive heart failure, died while in a state of temporary unfitness for service. No patient was released from service on account of ischaemic heart disease. Against this, by the conventional approach, out of 89 patients, 81 were fit for medical category C sedentary duties in non-operational areas in India only, 4 were released from service, and 4 died.