Changing interpretations of angina pectoris associated with transient myocardial ischemia

Silent ischemia associated with transient myocardial ischemia is currently recognized in the medical literature as a critical physiologic event that may occur in the absence of angina pectoris. A changing view of the clinical significance of angina pectoris as a reliable marker of myocardial ischemia is presented as a phenomenon of concern to nursing that carries implications for patient assessment, nursing interventions, and effectiveness of the nursing care.