Objectives: To live with heart failure means that life is delimited. Still, people with heart failure can have a desire to stay active in working life as long as possible. Although a number of factors affect sick leave and rehabilitation processes, little is known about sick leave and vocational rehabilitation concerning people with heart failure. This study aimed to identify emotions and encounters with healthcare professionals as possible predictors for the self-estimated ability to return to work in people on sick leave due to heart failure. Design: A population-based cross-sectional study design was used. Setting: The study was conducted in Sweden. Data were collected in 2012 from 3 different sources: 2 official registries and 1 postal questionnaire. Participants: A total of 590 individuals were included. Statistics: Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and linear multiple regression analysis were used. Results: 3 variables, feeling strengthened in the situation (β=.0.21, p=0.02), feeling happy (β=.0.24, p=0.02) and receiving encouragement about work (β= .0.32, p.0.001), were identified as possible predictive factors for the self-estimated ability to return to work. Conclusions: To feel strengthened, happy and to receive encouragement about work can affect the return to work process for people on sick leave due to heart failure. In order to develop and implement rehabilitation programmes to meet these needs, more research is needed.