Return to work after myocardial infarction.

The period of inability to work after acute myocardial infarction was examined in follow-up studies. Without organized rehabilitation, 7.5% of patients past myocardial infarction returned to work after 6 months. After early mobilization in the hospital and intensive follow-up treatment in a rehabilitation center, 18% of the patients returned to work within 6 months. After the establishment of coronary groups in the vicinity of the patients' homes for the continuation of therapy, the percentage of patients able to return to work within 6 months rose to 42.5%, as shown in a later study. A further study checked the reliability of the rehabilitation clinic's prediction as to the expected date of return to work; only 24% of these predictions were correct. But this percentage rose to 82% after prolonged talks between physician and patient as to the motivation for return to work, modification of the conditions and a detailed report to the local physician.