Scope of the Problem Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a frequent cause of hospital admission in the United States and is associated with significant short- and long-term mortality and mor- bidity. Every 42 seconds, approximately 1 American will suffer an AMI, and the estimated annual incidences of new and recurrent MI events are 550 000 and 200 000 events, Fortunately, the rates of hospitalization and 30-day mor- tality for AMI have been on the decline.4,5 This reduction in mortality is likely related to the shift in the pattern of clinical presentation of AMI as well as to improved acute treatments and long-term care. Yeh and colleagues examined age- and sex-adjusted incidence rates for STEMI and NSTEMI from a community-based population (Northern California) between 1999 and 2008, and demonstrated an overall significant decrease in AMI incidence rate after 2000.6 Although the adjusted 30-day mortality rate after AMI decreased signifi- cantly (driven by a significant reduction in NSTEMI mortal- ity), the overall mortality rate in 2008 after an AMI was still Importantly, AMI patients who survive the initial event have substantial risk for future cardiovascular events, includ- ing recurrent MI, death, heart failure, and stroke. 