Question

I am recovering from an MI - I'm 67 and I thought I was in good health up to that point. Now my doctor wants me to do cardiac rehabilitation, but it's very inconvenient - from the time and money point of view.

Is it really important for me to go?
 

Answer

Yes, it's really important! You don't say if you're a man or a woman, but you should know that women and patients over 70 often don't participate in the cardiac rehab programs that are offered, and they are making a big mistake.
 

A study of Mayo Clinic patients showed that, overall, roughly half the MI patients who were offered the program didn't, in fact, participate. This allowed investigators to study the differences in the death rate and/or recurrence of MI at 3 years. They found that only 5% of those who completed the rehab program died during the 3 years after their MI, compared with 26% of those who didn't participate! A similar benefit of the rehab program was found with respect to recurrence of an MI.
 

So, we advise you to find the time and the money to complete the rehab program, which will certainly improve your chances of having a normal, healthy life.

Related Links
Cardiac Rehab - What's Involved