Return to work after myocardial infarction.

One hundred and twelve patients who were 64 years of age or younger and who were employed at the time of their first myocardial infarction were studied to determine the vocational end-result following myocardial infarction. Ninety-seven patients were available for followup: 70 had resumed previous employment, nine were in physically less demanding work, seven were working part-time and 11 were unemployed. Four of the last group had adequate grounds for retirement, but seven were unemployed without adequate medical reasons. Poor medical advice and readily obtainable disability pensions appear to be the major factors responsible for unnecessary unemployment. It is apparent that expert cardiac evaluation followed by vocational assessment and assistance is required before classifying any patient as permanently unemployable.