Seventy patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) of functional classes (FC) I, II, and III performed various routine activities such as sawing, shoveling, vacuuming, and carrying 5-kg weights, 10-kg weights, and 15-kg weights to determine the energy expenditure and response of the cardiovascular system. Some jobs were performed in comfortable postures and uncomfortable (forced) postures. Energy expenditure and hemodynamic variables in working were expressed in terms of percent of individual maximal exercise tolerance determined during a bicycle test. The same job progressively increased in relative intensity as the FC worsened. Cardiovascular energy expenditure was greater at jobs in forced postures. The data allowed the authors to individualize the recommendations for patients with CHD with respect to their routine physical activities.