Change in level of physical activity and risk of all-cause mortality or reinfarction: The Corpus Christi Heart Project.
BACKGROUND
The role of physical activity (PA) in reducing the risk of all-cause mortality or reinfarction after a first myocardial infarction (MI) remains unresolved, particularly for minority populations. The association between change in level of PA and risk of death or reinfarction was studied in 406 Mexican American and non-Hispanic white women and men who survived a first MI.


RESULTS
MI patients were interviewed at baseline and annually thereafter about PA, medical history, and risk factors of coronary heart disease. Change in level of PA after the index MI was categorized as (1) sedentary, no change (referent group), (2) decreased activity, (3) increased activity, and (4) active, no change. Over a 7-year period, the relative risk (95% CI) of death was as follows: 0.21 (0.10 to 0.44) for the active, no change group; 0.11 (0.03 to 0.46) for the increased activity group; and 0.49 (0.26 to 0.90) for the decreased activity group. The relative risk of reinfarction was as follows: 0.40 (0.24 to 0.66) for the active, no change group; 0.22 (0.09 to 0.50) for the increased activity group; and 0.93 (0.59 to 1.42) for the decreased activity group.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings are consistent with a beneficial role of PA for Mexican American and non-Hispanic white women and men who survive a first MI and have practical implications for the management of MI survivors.
Steffen-Batey
L
L
University of Texas-Houston Health Science Center, School of Public Health, USA. steffen@epi.umn.edu
Nichaman
M Z
MZ
Goff
D C
DC
Frankowski
R F
RF
Hanis
C L
CL
Ramsey
D J
DJ
Labarthe
D R
DR
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D017058:Mexican Americans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000401:mortality* / Q000517:prevention & control; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012008:Recurrence; D012306:Risk; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D044465:White People