OBJECTIVES: To assess patients’ quality of life (HQL) post-myocardial infarction and to identify related variables. METHODS: Patients admitted to the University of Michigan Medical Center with diagnosis of MI were identified consecutively and prospectively from October 1999 to May 2000. Clinical data were obtained retrospectively from medical records. Six months after discharge, patients were administered the Short Form-12 (SF-12), via telephone, to determine physical (PCS-12) and mental (MCS-12) functional status. RESULTS: Complete information was obtained from 148 patients. The mean age of patients was 64.7 years (+/-13.2) and 79.1% were male. The mean PCS-12 scores were 35.4 (+/-9.12), and the mean MCS-12 scores were 51.6 (+/-10.01). The median PCS-12 scores were significantly lower in patients with an ejection fraction (EF) <40% (31.9 versus 38.4 for EF³40%, p=0.02), and prior MI (31.2 versus 38.5 without a history of MI, p=0.01), congestive heart failure (CHF) (32.6 versus 37.4 without a history of CHF, p=0.03), renal insufficiency (27.9 versus 37.7, p=0.003), or peripheral vascular disease (29.4 versus 38.2 without a history of PVD, p=0.004). The median MCS-12 scores were significantly lower for patients under 65 years of age (49.6 versus 57.4 for patients ³65 years of age, p=0.001) and with a history of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) (60.1 versus 54.7 without history of CABG, p=0.01). There were no differences detected between gender, type of MI, diabetes, hypertension, angina, or smoking. CONCLUSIONS: HQL scores were lower for patients post-MI with various comorbidities. Physical scores were significantly lower for patients with low EFs, prior MI, or CHF. Mental scores were significantly lower for patients <65 and those not having already undergone CABG surgery. Post-MI, particular attention should be paid to these patients. Further work is needed to determine whether interventions aimed at these patients will result in improved quality of life.