Previous surveys may have underestimated both prevalence and incidence of ischemic heart disease in general practice. Case identification is difficult, as many patients presenting with chest pain turn out not to have ischemic heart disease, although their outcome is unclear otherwise. In this work we aimed to: (1) estimate prevalence and incidence of angina in one Oxford general practice; (2) describe the processes of assessment, investigation, and management of suspected angina; and (3) describe the 2-year symptomatic and functional outcome of angina patients, compared with patients whose provisional diagnosis of suspected ischemic heart disease (IHD) was not subsequently sustained (NCCP). A retrospective survey of patients was undertaken (aged 45-74 years) by hand searching paper and electronic medical records to find, as of 1 January 1992, all patients in the practice with continuing treatment of angina diagnosed before 1989, or those having a new diagnosis of angina being assessed (suspected angina) in the 3 year 1989-1991. Two years later, a postal questionnaire survey compared the symptomatic and functional outcome of confirmed IHD and NCCP. On 1 January 1992, the diagnosis of angina was recorded in the notes of 11.1% of patients aged 45-74 years, and the diagnosis was considered correct in 7.4%. Over a 3-year period, 129 people was suspected of suffering from angina, but in 71 (55%) the diagnosis was not confirmed; 76 (59%) were either referred to a specialist out-patient clinic or had an emergency admission. A 2-year follow-up found that similar proportions of patients with angina and noncardiac chest pain had a poor outcome in terms of symptoms, mental state, quality of everyday life, and continuing consultation. The clinical burden of ischemic heart disease in general practice has been underestimated by earlier methodological approaches using less complete ascertainment strategies. The adequacy of current diagnostic and management arrangements for patients with suspected angina merits review, at both the primary and secondary care levels.