CHANGES IN REPORTED DIETARY HABIT AND EXERCISE LEVELS AFTER AN UNCOMPLICATED FIRST MYOCARDIAL-INFARCTION IN MIDDLE-AGED MEN

Education of patients and their partners about appropriate lifestyle c hanges following myocardial infarction (MI) is a key element in rehabi litation; developing relevant educational strategies requires a knowle dge of patient beliefs and attitudes. This paper reports findings from a survey of diet and exercise in a group of 153 middle-aged men who h ad suffered a first uncomplicated MI. Just over half of those question ed expressed a desire to change their diet post-MI; those who perceive d their pre-morbid diet to be 'less healthy' were more likely to want to change. Significant changes in food consumption (towards a more hea lthy diet) were observed at 3 months post-MI. Patients were less likel y to change their behaviour with respect to exercise, and few attained recommended levels of physical activity either pre- or post-MI. Patie nts held a number of misconceptions regarding the role of diet and exe rcise in predisposing to coronary heart disease, and the need for chan ge in behaviour. Beliefs and behaviour change were only weakly associa ted with receipt of information and advice. The findings have importan t messages for the more appropriate targeting of information-provision during the period of rehabilitation.