patients with myocardial infarction(MI) are at high risk of reinfarction and death(Harbman, 2014) and in 2010 in England there were 58 deaths from MI per 100000 of the population(British Heart Foundation(B 2012). This article will demonstrate how the role of the practice nurse is utilized in the follow-up of patients after an MI and will examine the benefits of an early practice nurse appointment, which is defined as an appointment within 4 weeks of discharge from hospital Relevant theoretical and contemporary research-based knowledge will be analyzed and critically evaluated. A protocol devised for use in the first post-MI appointment in primary care is also included in this article.