Three decades have elapsed since coronary occlusion became widely recognized as a clinical entity. It is now possible, therefore, to have a comprehensive view of the acute attack and to study its subsequent course among the many patients who have survived. At first, only the severe attacks were recognized as occlusions and their mortality rate was high. The prognosis for all patients with coronary occlusion, therefore, was considered to be poor. Later, the introduction of early and complete bed rest, a low-calorie diet, and the discreet use of drugs saved many lives.1 It is now relatively simple to recognize mild and atypical acute coronary episodes, from which the patient usually recovers. The mortality rate in first attacks of the disease is, at present, only 10% or less. As a result, the early pessimism concerning an acute coronary occlusion has gradually diminished. The progress of patients who have survived an