Modification of physical activity 5 months after myocardial infarction: relevance of biographic and personality characteristics

The relation between modification of physical activity, a risk factor for coronary heart disease, and personality characteristics was assessed in 166 survivors of a first myocardial infarction (MI). Physical activity was assessed before MI in retrospect and again 5 months after MI. Patients were divided into 3 categories according to their current daily-life physical activities: less active than before MI (n=24), equally active as before MI (n=82), or more active than before MI (n=60). A significant differentiation was found between patients who became less physically active than before MI and the other 2 categories. This less active category was characterized by feelings of disability, a low level of vigor, and feelings of anxiety. In addition, this patient group was on average older and more often female. The results were adjusted for participation in a cardiac rehabilitation program. Finally, the discussion recommends involving psychological intervention in the exercise program for the less active category of patients to diminish feelings of anxiety and disability and to improve vigor.