The illness perceptions of patients with percutaneous coronary intervention compared to patients with no percutaneous intervention, for acute myocardial infarction, in cardiac rehabilitation.

Purpose: Patients who receive percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) have been found to have low attendance at cardiac rehabilitation (CR). It has been suggested that this is because PCI patients have a benign perception of their coronary disease; however, this has never been quantitatively investigated. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the illness perceptions (IP) of patients with AMI treated with PCI.

Impact of ecological redundancy on the performance of machine learning classifiers in vegetation mapping.

Vegetation maps are models of the real vegetation patterns and are considered important tools in conservation and management planning. Maps created through traditional methods can be expensive and time-consuming, thus, new more efficient approaches are needed. The prediction of vegetation patterns using machine learning shows promise, but many factors may impact on its performance.

Design matters in secondary prevention: individualization and supervised exercise improves the effectiveness of cardiac rehabilitation.

Background: Hospital or centre-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) can lengthen and improve life. However, most existing trials do not examine the effects of design characteristics. To examine the effects of these characteristics, this study compared an individualized cardiac rehabilitation programme to a standardized programme and examined what factors contributed most to programme effects.

Peer support to promote physical activity after completion of centre-based cardiac rehabilitation: evaluation of access and effects.

Background: Patients with heart disease receive little support for sustaining physical activity over the long-term. This study compared the characteristics of patients choosing to join a peer support program to promote use of physical activity and assessed its effects on physical activity.

Aims: To compare characteristics of those choosing to join the peer support (PS) program versus those who did not, and to assess the effect on physical activity patterns at 12 months of the PS program.

Participation in community-based exercise maintenance programs after completion of hospital-based cardiac rehabilitation: a mixed-method study.

Objective: To understand the characteristics associated with participation in community-based exercise maintenance programs in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) after completion of hospital-based cardiac rehabilitation in Scotland.

Methods: A mixed-methods approach was used (survey and focus groups) to explore determinants of participation in community-based exercise maintenance programs.

Results: Of 112 patients (67% male), 81 patients responded (73% response rate).

Validity of self-reported smoking status: Comparison of patients admitted to hospital with acute coronary syndrome and the general population.

Many studies rely on self-reported smoking status. We hypothesized that patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), a smoking-related condition, would be more prone to misclassify themselves as ex-smokers, because of pressure to quit. We compared patients admitted with ACS with a general population survey conducted in the same country at a similar time.

A critical realist approach to understanding and evaluating heart health programmes.

Secondary prevention programmes for Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) aim to reduce cardiovascular risks and promote health in people with heart disease. Though programmes have been associated with health improvements in study populations, access to programmes remains low, and quality and effectiveness is highly variable. Current guidelines propose significant modifications to programmes, but existing research provides little insight into why programme effectiveness varies so much.

Effect of an exercise consultation on maintenance of physical activity after completion of phase III exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation.

Background: Many patients do not maintain physical activity levels after completion of phase III exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation.

Design: This study determined the effect of an exercise consultation on maintenance of physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness 12 months after completion of a phase III exercise programme. Seventy cardiac patients were randomized to the experimental (exercise consultation and exercise information) or control groups (exercise information only).

A realist study of the mechanisms of cardiac rehabilitation.

Aim: The aim of this paper is to report patients' experiences of cardiac rehabilitation and perceptions of the mechanisms and contexts influencing its long-term effectiveness.

Background: Cardiac rehabilitation programmes for the secondary prevention of coronary heart disease are common. The effects of these programmes, however, can be inconsistent and little is known of the personal and contextual factors that influence service effectiveness.

Promoting and maintaining physical activity in people with type 2 diabetes.

Background: Limited research has investigated how to promote physical activity in people with type 2 diabetes. This study evaluated physical activity counseling over 12 months in people with type 2 diabetes.

Design: Participants were given standard exercise information and randomly assigned to receive physical activity counseling or not.

Promoting participation in cardiac rehabilitation: patient choices and experiences.

Background: Cardiac rehabilitation can be an effective means for the secondary prevention of coronary heart disease, but a majority of eligible individuals fail to attend or drop out prematurely. Little research has examined patients' decisions about attendance.

Aims: This paper reports a study examining patients' beliefs and decision-making about cardiac rehabilitation attendance.