In DSM-IV, the revised criteria for PTSD allow for “being exposed to a life-threatening illness,” to now meet the criterion of exposure to an extreme stressor. The present study examined psychosocial adjustment, particularly PTSD symptoms, in 45 cardiac patients 1 week to 3 months after they experienced their first MI. Identification of potential participants proceeded via review of records of patients on the coronary care unit at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. The results indicated that most patients reported low levels of distress. Using Foa and co-workers’ (1993) PTSD Symptom Scale, 9% of the patients met DSM-III-R criteria for PTSD.