This study aimed to characterize obesity in infarcted myocardial patients. Data were collected from 43 patients at a University Hospital. It was observed that the Body Mass Index (BMI) was above the desired level for 69.7% (26.9± 0.5) of the subjects; the body fat percentage had altered in 79% (20.0± 1.0) of cases; the waist/hip (W/H) ratio was above normal in 72.5% (0.97± 0.03) of cases and the waist circumference (WC) had altered in 64% (97.3±1.8) of the patients. Since the correlation for BMI, WC and fat percentage was significant, the use of BMI and WC was suggested for evaluating obesity in outpatients.
obesity; myocardial infarction; rehabilitation