Phenomena of Physical Activity in with Myocardial Infarction Patients of Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract

Objectives:

To assess the physical activity level among MI patients and to examine the relationship ofphysical activity with some MI risk factors such as age, gender, body mass index(BMI), waistcircumference(WC), obesity, and occupation.

Methods:

The data of the present study were collected from different cardiac hospitals (Civil Hospital,Liaquat National Hopsital and National Institute of Cardiovescular Diseases) of Karachi. 235 patients ofages 30-70 years were interviewed through a questionnaire. The questionnaire included basic demographicand some socio-economic information and risk factors associated with MI patients. The questionnaire alsoincluded questions on the type, frequency and duration of physical activity of the patients. Activities wereclassified into five intensity categories and assigned metabolic equivalents (MET) according to the compendiumo f physical activity. Subjects were classified into physically active or inactive categories.

Results:

Activity prevalence (10.2%) was very low among MI patients. There were more active male patients(10.8%) than female patients (7.8%). Activity prevalence decreases with age and increases with increasingeducational level. In the risk assessment model, age group (P<0.0001), occupation categories [(skilled vs.semi skilled) (p=0.028)] and [(skilled vs. house wife) (p=0.003)] were significant. Highly educated patientswere significantly (p=0.022) more active than others. Furthermore, active patients had lower values of bodymass index and waist circumference.

Conclusion:

The finding of the study revealed that most of the MI patients have sedentary life style anddue to increasing age and low level of education they are inactive.