A comparison of relevant UK studies indicates that about half of people who have a heart attack die within 28 days.

Data from the OXMIS Study shows that of those who die within 28 days of having a heart attack, three quarters die within the first 24 hours.  

British Regional Heart Study data indicate that after 28 days, chances of survival improve but are still not as good as men who have not had a heart attack.   The study found that 76% of men aged 40-59 who survive for 28 days after their heart attack are still alive at five years compared with 93% of men who had no evidence of CHD.   At 10 years 63% were still alive compared with 97% of men with no CHD. 

Twenty-eight day case fatality does not routinely vary with sex but does increase with age. 

A comparison of all relevant UK studies shows that 28-day case fatality varies around the country but this variation is small.   In general it is found that differences between populations in case-fatality are much smaller than differences in incidence and mortality. 

MONICA Project data shows that case fatality from heart attack is higher in many populations in Central and Eastern Europe than in most populations in Northern, Southern and Western Europe.   The two UK MONICA populations – Belfast and Glasgow – have lower case fatality rates than average for MONICA populations.

Looking at temporal trends in survival after a heart attack, OXMIS and MONICA data indicate that 28-day case fatality for heart attack is falling on average by about 1.5% per year in men and women under about the age of 70 in the UK.