The work status following aortocoronary bypass surgery was evaluated by questionnaire in 268 male patients aged 44 years or less, after a mean follow-up of 38 months. During follow-up, 87% resumed work; when analyzed on a yearly basis, the rate of patients at work peaked at 2 years (80%) and then declined to 70% at 4 years. Multivariate analyses showed that the two most important preoperative variables predictive of work status after surgery were (1) the length of the period of not working, and (2) the educational level. Other influential factors were the presence of an associated vascular disease and the type of work, annual income and functional class. The postoperative health status, as described by the patient, was also closely correlated with return to work. Recurrence of angina after surgery impaired work resumption. A majority of patients who were never gainfully employed after surgery attributed the reason to their physician, while 93% of them stated that they received financial aid from the government.