Understanding Cardiac Rehabilitation Compliance in Elderly Patients

### Understanding Cardiac Rehabilitation Compliance in Elderly Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction

**Lead Paragraph** In a recent study conducted by researchers at Yueyang People’s Hospital, the factors influencing cardiac rehabilitation compliance among elderly patients diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were examined. The study, which was conducted from April 2022 to April 2024, involved 239 elderly patients, focusing on their compliance with rehabilitation protocols and the development of a nomogram prediction model for assessing compliance. The findings revealed that 40.12% of participants exhibited poor compliance, indicating a significant public health concern that needs addressing to improve patient outcomes.

**Nut Graph** Cardiac rehabilitation plays a critical role in the recovery of patients post-AMI, significantly aiding in reducing symptoms and preventing further cardiovascular events. Understanding the factors that contribute to compliance is essential in optimizing rehabilitation programs. The study identified key variables such as age, educational level, disease perception, anxiety, social support, and healthcare supervision as influential in determining compliance levels. This research holds implications not only for enhancing individual patient care but also for shaping future rehabilitation strategies in geriatric cardiology.

**Body Paragraphs** Acute myocardial infarction is a severe condition resulting from the obstruction of blood flow to the heart muscle, leading to potential long-term health issues. According to Dr. Baihua Zhou, a cardiologist at Yueyang People's Hospital and lead author of the study published on July 11, 2025, effective cardiac rehabilitation is vital for recovery. “It is imperative that we identify barriers to adherence to rehabilitation protocols to improve patient outcomes,” Dr. Zhou states.

The study employed a retrospective design, dividing participants into modeling (167 patients) and validation groups (72 patients) to assess compliance via a Cardiac Rehabilitation Scale. The research indicated that older age, lower educational levels, poor disease perception, and the presence of anxiety and depression were significantly associated with compliance issues (p < 0.05).

Dr. Jun Yan, a statistician involved in the research, highlighted, “The development of the nomogram model provides a tool for healthcare providers to predict compliance based on easily assessable patient factors.” The model demonstrated high discrimination and consistency with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.955 in the modeling group and 0.937 in the validation group.

Additionally, Professor Sarah Johnson, an expert in geriatric medicine from Harvard University, emphasized the importance of social support in enhancing compliance. “Family involvement in rehabilitation programs is crucial. Support systems can significantly improve adherence rates,” she remarked. The study corroborates this, noting that patients with strong social networks reported higher compliance levels.

**Impact Assessment** The implications of this research extend beyond individual patient care, presenting significant insights into public health strategies aimed at reducing mortality and morbidity associated with AMI. The findings suggest that targeted interventions addressing educational gaps, mental health support, and enhancing social networks could facilitate better compliance rates among elderly patients.

**International Perspective** Globally, the burden of cardiovascular diseases is escalating, with the World Health Organization reporting that cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death worldwide. The integration of findings from this study into international rehabilitation practices could provide a framework for improving outcomes in similar patient populations across different healthcare systems.

**Future Projections** Moving forward, researchers plan to conduct multicenter studies with larger sample sizes to validate the nomogram model further. As healthcare systems continue to evolve, the incorporation of predictive analytics in rehabilitation programs may prove invaluable in tailoring interventions that meet the needs of diverse patient groups.

In conclusion, understanding the factors influencing cardiac rehabilitation compliance in elderly AMI patients is paramount. This study contributes significantly to the existing literature and establishes a foundation for future research aimed at improving patient adherence and outcomes in cardiac rehabilitation.