Symptomatic status and pattern of employment during a five-year period following myocardial revascularization for...

The employment status of 100 consecutive male patients between the ages of 30 and 60 years (mean, 49.5 years) operated on for angina and followed for a minimum of 5 years was analysed. There were no early and 4 late deaths. The probability of employment at 1 year was 90%, which was similar to that of a sample from the general population matched for age. This rate, however, showed steady, slow deterioration to 87.6% at 2 years, 82.1% at 3 years, 75.7% at 4 years, and 73.4+ at 5 years. Seventeen patients retired over the 5-year period. There was no correlation between the rate of employment and age (under or over 50) at operation, previous myocardial infarction, or number of grafts inserted.