A method and apparatus is described for preventing or reducing the ventricular remodeling that normally occurs after a myocardial infarction using pacing therapy. By pacing sites in proximity to the infarct with appropriately timed pacing pulses, the infarct region is pre-excited in a manner that lessens the mechanical stress to which it is subjected, thus reducing the stimulus for remodeling. If capture by the pacing pulses is not being achieved, the device may be configured to change the pacing pulse energy and/or pacing site as appropriate.