[Prognosis is often poor in chest pain not interpreted as angina pectoris. Simultaneous occurrence of cardiovascular risk factors increases the risk of premature death].
BACKGROUND
Typical angina pectoris is easy to recognize, but coronary insufficiency may present with nonspecific chest discomfort.


OBJECTIVE
We wanted to investigate long-term prognosis in men with different types of chest pain.


METHODS
A random population sample comprising 5,773 men aged 51-57 years at baseline were followed for 16 years.


RESULTS
Mortality due to coronary heart disease was 8.0% among men without chest pain, 19.5% (total mortality 44%) among those with non-specific chest pain, 24.8% (total mortality 45%) among those with typical angina and 48.5% among those with a history of myocardial infarction at baseline.


CONCLUSIONS
Non-specific chest pain is associated with poor prognosis, and coronary risk factors have strong predictive value.
Wilhelmsen
L
L
Hjärt-lunginstitutionen, Göteborgs universitet. lars.wilhelmsen@gu-cri.se
Rosengren
A
A
Hagman
M
M
Lappas
G
G
D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D002637:Chest Pain / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking
D002784:Cholesterol