Activity and Return to Work The timing of return to physical activity depends on the presenting condition as well as previous functional status. For STEMI, for example, daily walking is encouraged immedi- ately, and driving can begin within 1 week after uncompli- cated MI if allowed by local motor vehicle laws.859 Sexual activity usually can be resumed within days, provided exer- cise tolerance is adequate, normally assessed by the ability to climb a fiight of stairs.859 Similar recommendations have been issued for UA/NSTEMI.860 Patients with UA who have undergone successful revascularization and are otherwise doing well may return to physical activity on an accelerated schedule, usually within a few days.860 Return to work is more complex. Return to work rates after MI range from 63% to 94% and are confounded by factors such as job satisfaction, financial stability, and company policies.861 The physical demands and degree of stress of a particular job require that recommendations be individual- ized. In the PAMI-2 (Primary Angioplasty in Myocardial Infarction) trial, patients were encouraged to return to work 2 weeks after primary PCI for STEMI, and no adverse events were reported.862 In the RITA (Randomized Intervention Treatment of Angina) trial, revascularization with PCI led to earlier return to work compared with CABG, and subsequent employment rates were associated with relief of angina.105 Many practitioners use graded exercise treadmill testing to determine the safety of activity and return to work by measuring the metabolic equivalent of task (MET) level achieved and comparing that level to energy levels required to perform different activities.863 6.4.3. Cardiac Rehabilitation: Recommendation Class I 1. 