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The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of depression and anxiety following coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) and to see how those patients with depression and anxiety differ in sleeping pattern. The individual reaction to sleep loss was tested as a predictor of certain emotional symptoms in the follow-up period. Thirty-eight males, between 45 and 68 years, were interviewed prior to, and 1 month after, surgery, and received a questionnaire at the 6-month follow-up. Eighty per cent scored moderate anxiety prior to surgery and six patients were depressed. An anxiety-prone individual reactivity persisted in the same patients in 38.9% (n = 14) following CABG, with significantly more sleep disturbances, firedness, energy deficits, immobility, and lower degree of quality of life (QoL). Sad/depressed mood or cognitive/behavioural fatigue symptoms as reactions to sleep loss were predictors of sleep problems and daytime sequelae, whereas a higher postoperative NYHA class was predicted by cognitive/behavioural fatigue and dysphoria reactions. Being less refreshed by sleep on final awakening prior to surgery related to 44.5% of the variance in QoL outcome 6 months following surgery. In conclusion, an anxiety-prone individual reactivity is significantly associated with sleep disturbances. Reactions to sleep loss prior to surgery are associated with emotional distress after surgery.