Active Lifestyle Post First Myocardial Infarction: A Comparison between Participants and Non-Participants of a Structured Cardiac Rehabilitation Program

Following myocardial infarction (MI), impaired physical, mental, and cognitive functions can reduce participation in the community and diminish quality of life. This study aims to assess active lifestyle participation and functional performance in patients who were participants and non-participants in cardiac rehabilitation. A total of 71 patients were recruited, 6–10 months after the MI event; 38 chose to participate in a cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program, and 33 did not (NCR). Participation and activity patterns in instrumental activities of daily living, as well as physically demanding leisure activities and social activities, were evaluated using the Activity Card Sort (ACS). Hand grip force and timed up and go (TUG) were tested. A total of 74% of the CR group met physical activity recommendations and only 34% continued to smoke, compared to 39% and 71% in the NCR group, respectively. The CR group, compared to the NCR group, had higher levels of daily activity, social leisure, and physically demanding leisure activities (p ≤ 0.001). Null differences between the NCR and CR groups were observed in grip strength and the TUG tests. The study highlighted community participation after MI. Based on a comparison between the groups, the study implies that patients choosing to participate in CR retained higher community participation levels and had better self-management of cardiovascular risk factors.