[Effect of resuming work after myocardial infarction on its recurrence and mortality in long-term observations]

Abstract

60 to 95% pts in the age group below 60 return to work after having* suffered the first M.I. Up to the present moment, it has not been proved whether such return influences in any (positive or negative) way the recurrence of M.I. or the mortality rate. Two groups of pts who underwent M.I. in the years 1976-84 were included in the long term questionnaire observation: 1. 222 men (mean age 49.3 +/- 3.8 yrs) who resumed work and; 2. 153 men (mean age 50.7 +/- 8.4 yrs) who did not return to work after the first M.I. All pts were sent the questionnaires by post annually. The aim of the questionnaire was to establish whether the patient is alive, if he underwent reinfarction and, in case of death--what was its cause. Until 1985 reinfarction occurred in 25%, and until 1989--in 33% of the pts who resumed work, and 42% of pts who did not. The mean value of reinfarction was about 1.4 in the first group and 1.5 in the latter. Until 1985 the death rate was respectively 15% and 12%. Until 1989--the death rate was 28% and 30%. Thus, the differences between those two groups were statistically insignificant. In conclusion, it may--indirectly--speak in favour of resuming work after the first M.I., showing that, although it does not decrease the reinfarction and mortality rates, it also does not increase the risk.