Learning Objective #1: Identify differences in older women who attend cardiac rehabilitation and in those who do not attend cardiac rehabilitation after myocardial infarction

Learning Objective #2: Discuss the relationship of physical activity to preventing recurrent myocardial infarctions in older women

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The average age for a myocardial infarction (MI) in women is 70. More women (35%) than men (18%) have a recurrent MI within 6 years. Secondary prevention measures, such as participation in physical activity (PA), are positive health behaviors after MI to halt or reverse the progression of coronary disease. Although studies have examined PA 3 months to 6 years after MI in those who completed a cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program, little is known about PA behaviors of older women 6 to 12 months after MI. The specific aims of this study were to: (a) describe the differences between older women who did and did not attend CR, and (b) examine participation in PA 6 to12 months after MI in older women who attended CR and those who did not. Using a descriptive, correlational design, the researchers studied women 65 years of age and older (N=86) who had experienced an MI in the past 6 to 12 months. The majority of the women were not married, White and had 12 or more years of education. More CR non attendees were diabetic and had a higher BMI, currently smoked, and were not taking lipid lowering medications compared to those who attended CR. Educational levels differed in CR attendees and non attendees (X2=5.321; p=0.02). A significant difference between the CR attendees and non attendees was noted in geriatric depression scores (t= -2.010; p=.048), social support scores (t=2.361; p=.021), and in participation in PA (X2= 10.061; p=0.002). Although PA and CR are effective secondary prevention measures for older women after MI, few older women participate. Interestingly, most of those who attended CR reported participating in PA. Maintenance of secondary prevention behaviors, such as PA, is necessary to influence the cardiovascular health older women after MI.