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Background: RACPC have been introduced to expedite investigations of patients suspected of having cardiac chest pain by their general practitioners. Many continue to report symptoms despite normal investigations.

Objective: We aim to report on the outcome at two years on patients diagnosed with NCCP and the impact to their lifestyle and the healthcare system.

Methods: Patients referred to the RACPC between January 2004 and April 2006 in University College Hospital Galway was enrolled. Demographics and risk factor profile were obtained from clinical records during attendance to the service. Patients who proceeded to diagnostic coronary angiography after assessment and subsequently diagnosed with non cardiac chest pain were followed up. Follow up was performed via telephone questionnaire that has been validated in previous studies.

Results: 167 patients (female= 102, 61%) were identified with normal angiograms after assessment in RACPC. Mean age was 57 years old. Risk factors were smokers (25%), hypertension (40%), diabetes (5%) and hypercholesterolemia (34%). At 2 years, 97 patients (58%) continue to report similar symptoms to initial presentation. 48% had symptoms lasting for more than a year. 6.9% report limiting symptoms despite a normal angiogram and up to 23% believed that their symptoms are due to cardiac. No specific diagnosis was made in 34% of 167 patients. Half of these continued to have symptoms on a daily basis. Up to 30% of patients attended their GP more than once. 12patients in the non specific diagnosis group attended the Emergency Department more than once with their symptoms resulting …