To examine the psychological reactions in 40-49 year old men diagnosed as having an increased risk for the development of ischaemic heart disease at a health examination in general practice. A multipractice study including a questionnaire about the psychological well-being before and 6 months after a health examination aimed at finding an increased risk for ischaemic heart disease. General practice in the county of Aarhus, Denmark. Sixty five general practitioners. 123 men with and 150 men without an increased risk of ischaemic heart disease. Psychological well-being was measured by the General Health Questionnaire (12 item version). No significant change in GHQ-scores after the screening examination. Information about increased risk of IHD in 40-49 year old men at a health examination in general practice did not change the psychological well-being as measured by a General Health Questionnaire 6 months after the examination.