Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 15, 2026
Myocardial Infarction and Functional Outcome Assessment in Pigs
Published on: April 25, 2014
Return to work after myocardial infarction: a retrospective study
Małgorzata Waszkowska1, Wiesław Szymczak
1Department of Work Psychology, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland. waszko@imp.lodz.pl
Insights
Workers returning to work after myocardial infarction often have better health and quality of life. Mental health assessment is crucial for determining work ability post-cardiac incident.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Occupational Health
- Psychology
Background:
- Myocardial infarction (MI) significantly impacts a worker's ability to continue occupational activity.
- Understanding factors influencing return to work after MI is vital for rehabilitation and workforce participation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess occupational functioning in workers post-MI.
- To identify health-related determinants for continuing occupational activity after MI.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 183 male workers (aged 39-65) post-MI.
- Evaluated mental health, quality of life, and occupational functioning using NHP, Beck Depression Inventory, STAI, WAI, and a custom questionnaire.
Main Results:
- Workers who returned to work were younger, more educated, and reported better self-rated health and quality of life.
- Readaptation to work varied; maladapted individuals experienced depression, anxiety, and reduced work ability.
Conclusions:
- Current work ability assessments post-MI, focusing only on physical health, are insufficient.
- Mental health assessment should supplement physical evaluation for work capacity.
- Employers should adapt working conditions to support workers post-MI.
Objectives:
To evaluate the occupational functioning and identify health-related determinants of the continuation of occupational activity in workers with a recent myocardial infarction.
Material And Methods:
The project was a retrospective study concerning 183 male workers, aged 39-65 years, who had suffered a primary uncomplicated myocardial infarction approximately three years prior to the study. The study group comprised both the persons who returned to work after the incident and those who did not. The subjects' mental health as well as quality of life and occupational functioning were evaluated using NHP scale, Beck Depression Inventory, STAI questionnaire by Spielberger et al., WAI, and own questionnaire "My work".
Results:
Data analysis revealed that the persons who returned to work after myocardial infarction were characterized by a younger age and a higher level of education, self-rated health and quality of life than the persons who did not resume their occupational activity. The occupationally active individuals showed a varying degree of readaptation to work. In the maladapted group, such disturbances occurred as depression, anxiety and lowered work ability.
Conclusions:
The study results indicate that in workers with a recent myocardial infarction, the current procedure for assessment of work ability, which is based solely on the evaluation of physical health, is insufficient and should be supplemented with the assessment of their mental health. The employers should also undertake activities for a better adjustment of working conditions to the abilities of workers who have experienced a cardiac incident.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Acute Coronary Syndrome IV: Interprofessional Care
01:30Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies
01:22Myocarditis IV: Nursing Management
01:20Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System I: Cardiac Biomarkers
The essential diagnostic tools for detecting myocardial necrosis and monitoring individuals suspected of having acute coronary syndrome (ACS) include:
Troponins
Troponins, particularly cardiac troponins I and T, are the most precise and sensitive markers of myocardial injury. They are detectable within 4-6 hours of myocardial injury and remain...
01:14Myocarditis III: Medical Management
01:27Coronary Artery Disease V: Interprofessional Care