Cardiac rehabilitation for community-based patients with myocardial infarction: Factors predicting discharge recommendation and participation

Although there is substantial evidence that cardiac rehabilitation is benef icial for post myocardial infarction (MI) patients, such programs are curre ntly under utilized. This study examined systematic criteria predicting phy sician referral to and patients' participation in cardiac rehabilitation pr ograms. Patients discharged for MI were interviewed in-hospital and at 6-12 weeks post discharge to determine referral. participation, and completion. Stepwise logistic regression analyzed factors associated with rehabilitati on. Factors associated with referral to rehab were catheterization (p < 0.0 01), bypass surgery (p < 0.01), cardiologist/cardiac surgeon appointment (p < 0.02), and age (p < 0.01). Participation was increased for those with by pass surgery (p < 0.001), and referral to cardiologist or cardiac surgeon ( p < 0.001). Type of provider significantly influences referral to and parti cipation in cardiac rehabilitation. This suggests that encouragement plays a strong role in attendance for rehabilitation. The same strong encourageme nt should be given to the broader range of MI patients who stand to benefit from cardiac rehabilitation. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights res erved.