Cardiac rehabilitation: the agenda set by post-myocardial-infarction patients

Physical and psychosocial benefits have been demonstrated by cardiac rehabilitation following myocardial infarction, but there is little evidence about which of the various regimes is best. This paper describes the attitudes of post-myocardial-infarction patients towards cardiac rehabilita tion and identifies their preferences for these services. Qualitative methods were used with a sample of post-myocardial-infarction patients who had no experience of extended rehabilitation programmes. The results indicate strong demand for cardiac rehabilitation. Exercise sessions were requested by eighty-six per cent, with most patients finding that weather conditions prevented walking-based home exercises. Group sessions and one-to-one counselling on personal medical issues were also popular, but demand for stress management was low despite many patients attributing their infarction to stress. The greatest influence foreseen on attendance at cardiac rehabilitation was travelling distance, with many patients unable to attend centralised programmes.