A year after cardiac event only 37 percent still exercising (USA)

Researchers from the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University, USA, found that one year after 248 individuals completed a 12-week cardiac rehabilitation program following a heart attack, bypass surgery or angioplasty, only 37 percent exercised three times a week to keep their hearts healthy. Women across the age groups were less inclined to make the healthy changes in comparison to men. Although all groups had a decline between months 9 and 12, younger men sustained healthy exercise patterns better than all the other groups. "The study points out that interventions are needed to keep people exercising," said Mary Dolansky, assistant professor of nursing and the lead investigator on the study. The research follows up on an assessment of individuals as they left a 12-week rehabilitation program to help cardiac patients make lifestyle changes in the area of exercise - a major factor in improving heart health