A cross-sectional examination of post-myocardial infarction physical activity levels among US rural and urban residents: Findings from the 2017–2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

Background This study sought to examine the relationship between rural residence and physical activity levels among US myocardial infarction (MI) survivors. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study using nationally representative Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System surveys from 2017 and 2019. We determined the survey-weighted percentage of rural and urban MI survivors meeting US physical activity guidelines. Logistic regression models were used to examine the relationship between rural/urban residence and meeting physical activity guidelines, accounting for sociodemographic factors. Results Our study included 22,732 MI survivors (37.3% rural residents). The percentage of rural MI survivors meeting physical activity guidelines (37.4%, 95% CI: 35.1%-39.7%) was significantly less than their urban counterparts (45.6%, 95% CI: 44.0%-47.2%). Rural residence was associated with a 28.8% (95% CI: 20.0%-36.7%) lower odds of meeting physical activity guidelines, with this changing to a 19.3% (95% CI: 9.3%-28.3%) lower odds after adjustment for sociodemographic factors. Conclusions A significant rural/urban disparity in physical activity levels exists among US MI survivors. Our findings support the need for further efforts to improve physical activity levels among rural MI survivors as part of successful secondary prevention in US high-MI burden rural areas.