Purpose : This study purposes to examine the knowledge level and compliance of health behavior in patients with myocardial infarction to develope a cardiac rehabilitation program. Method: The subjects consisted of 72 patients with myocardial infarction, hospitalized at three university-affiliated hospitals. The data were collected by interviewing their subjects using a questionnaire and reviewing the medical records from September 15, 1999 to July 31, 2000. Data were analyzed using the SAS program for Windows version 6.12. Results: 1 The average knowledge score of the patients was 19.7 and the average compliance score was 53.9. 2. Knowledge scores were highest in the items of avoiding overeating and taking medicine at prescribed dosage, and lowest in the item of when to avoid sexual activity. 3. Knowledge level were highest on domains of exercise & daily activities, and risk factors and followed by diet. medication. and nature of disease. 4. Those who had higher education, or were living with a spouse were significantly higher in knowledge score. 5. Compliance score was highest in the item of smoking cessation and lowest in the item of measuring heart rate regularly. 6. Compliance score was highest on domain of smoking cessation and followed by diet, exercise, others, and managing mental stress. 7. Female patients had significantly higher compliance scores of health behavior on domain of diet than male patients. 8. The knowledge score was positively correlated to compliance of health behaviors. Conclusion: According to the above findings, it can be concluded that intensive nursing care and education should be provided to the patients who have lower education or are living without a spouse. Also, nursing intervention should be developed to increase compliance of managing mental stress and doing regular exorcise.