Predictors of attendance at cardiac rehabilitation after myocardial infarction.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine predictors of attendance at cardiac rehabilitation after myocardial infarction (MI).
Methods: Various demographic, behavioural, and clinical variables were measured during hospitalisation in 288 MI patients. Of these, 263 were available to attend outpatient-based cardiac rehabilitation: 108 actually attended.
Results: Multiple logistic regression analyses indicated that nonattenders lived in more deprived areas and were less likely to have paid employment. Nonattenders also registered more symptoms of depression and anxiety and exercised less frequently prior to their MI, although only the last of these variables were predicted in a multivariate model. In terms of clinical status, whether patients had been thrombolysed or not was the strongest predictor of attendance.
Conclusions: Attendance at cardiac rehabilitation is not an arbitrary matter. Strategies should be developed for encouraging greater attendance among those not in paid employment, those from deprived areas, and those who exercise infrequently.