Patient prognosis is determined by many factors including the extent and severity of the arterial disease, left ventricular function, existing co-morbidities, exercise duration or effort tolerance.¹

Long term prognosis is also impacted by the time scale in which the patient is seen. New onset angina has a worse prognosis than established angina that has been stable for a period of time. New onset angina is more likely to deteriorate and result in acute coronary syndrome, arrhythmia or MI.

Patients diagnosed with stable angina are also at an increased risk of developing acute coronary syndrome (ACS). This includes unstable angina, non ST elevated myocardial infarction (MI) and ST elevated MI. ACS is a medical emergency.

Patients presenting with pain at rest, pain following minimal exertion and deteriorating angina should be referred urgently for hospital assessment and admission.