BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease predicts mortality in the general population, but less is known about the association with incidence of first myocardial infarction. We evaluated glomerular filtration rates (GFR) estimated by the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease study (GFR-MDRD) equation and the Mayo formula (GFR-Mayo) as predictors of myocardial infarction and death. METHODS: In 571 353 Swedish men and women, undergoing health controls, with mean age 45 years, and no previous myocardial infarction, hazard ratios were calculated to assess the association between renal function and incidence of myocardial infarction and all-cause mortality, respectively. Glomerular filtration rate 60-90, 30-60 and