Low rates of exercise in patients with metabolic syndrome after an acute coronary syndrome

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) has reached epidemic proportions; however, regular exercise can prevent its progression to type 2 diabetes. Hypothesis: The study was undertaken to determine both the rate and predictors of routine exercise 1 year after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in patients with MetSyn. Methods: In a registry of 1,199 patients presenting with ACS, those with MetSyn were identified using the modified NCEP-ATP III criteria. Baseline and 1-year exercise patterns were examined in these patients, and the characteristics of those who were exercising were then compared with those who were not A multivariable logistic regression analysis was subsequently conducted to identify independent predictors of exercise at 1 year. Results: Of 273 patients with MetSyn, baseline and 1-year data about patients' exercise patterns were available for 170, of whom only 92 (54.2%) were exercising at 1 year. Characteristics that differed between those who were and those who were not exercising at 1 year included exercise at baseline (40 vs. 16.7%, p