Unrecognized Myocardial Infarction: Epidemiology, Clinical Characteristics, and the Prognostic Role of Angina Pectoris: The Reykjavik Study

Abstract

At least one third of all myocardial infarctions were unrecognized. Prognosis and risk factor profiles for patients with recognized and unrecognized myocardial infarction were similar. Although those with unrecognized myocardial infarction were less likely than those with recognized myocardial infarction to have a history of angina pectoris, angina in these cases was usually associated with ischemic electrocardiographic changes and a poor prognosis, suggesting severe coronary heart disease.