Perceptions of exercise among people who have not attended cardiac rehabilitation following myocardial infarction.
Perceptions of exercise among nonattenders of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) were explored using semi-structured interviews. Analysis indicated that participants did not recognize the cardiovascular benefits of exercise, and perceived keeping active through daily activities as sufficient for health. Health professionals were perceived to downplay the importance of exercise and CR, and medication was viewed as being more important than exercise for promoting health. The content of CR programmes and the benefits of exercise need to be further explained to patients post-MI, and in a manner that communicates to patients that these programmes are valued by significant others, particularly health professionals.
McCorry
Noleen K
NK
School of Psychology, Queen's University Belfast, UK. n.mccorry@qub.ac.uk
Corrigan
Mairead
M
Tully
Mark A
MA
Dempster
Martin
M
Downey
Bernadette
B
Cupples
Margaret E
ME
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001290:Attitude; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006113:United Kingdom