R Horne1, D James, K Petrie, J Weinman, R Vincent. 1. Centre for Health Care Research, University of Brighton, Falmer Campus, Brighton BN1 9PH, UK. r.horne@brighton.ac.uk
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To examine whether the association between expected symptoms of acute myocardial infarction and actual symptoms predicted delay in reaching hospital and help seeking behaviour. DESIGN: During hospital convalescence, participants completed a structured interview designed to measure symptom experience and help seeking behaviour following the onset of symptoms of acute myocardial infarction. PATIENTS: 88 patients admitted to hospital with their first myocardial infarction MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Delay in reaching hospital from onset of worst symptoms, obtained from ambulance and hospital records. RESULTS: The most common symptoms expected by patients with myocardial infarction were central chest pain (76%), radiating arm or shoulder pain (34%), and collapse (26%). The most common symptoms experienced were sweats or feeling feverish (78%), chest pain (64%), and arm, shoulder, or radiating pain (66%). A mismatch between symptoms experienced and those expected occurred in 58% of patients, and was associated with delay. Patients who experienced a mismatch between expectation and actual symptoms also were more likely to have a third party decide to call for help. CONCLUSIONS: The experience and interpretation of symptoms is an important source of delay and help seeking following onset of myocardial infarction symptoms.
OBJECTIVE: To examine whether the association between expected symptoms of acute myocardial infarction and actual symptoms predicted delay in reaching hospital and help seeking behaviour. DESIGN: During hospital convalescence, participants completed a structured interview designed to measure symptom experience and help seeking behaviour following the onset of symptoms of acute myocardial infarction. PATIENTS: 88 patients admitted to hospital with their first myocardial infarction MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Delay in reaching hospital from onset of worst symptoms, obtained from ambulance and hospital records. RESULTS: The most common symptoms expected by patients with myocardial infarction were central chest pain (76%), radiating arm or shoulder pain (34%), and collapse (26%). The most common symptoms experienced were sweats or feeling feverish (78%), chest pain (64%), and arm, shoulder, or radiating pain (66%). A mismatch between symptoms experienced and those expected occurred in 58% of patients, and was associated with delay. Patients who experienced a mismatch between expectation and actual symptoms also were more likely to have a third party decide to call for help. CONCLUSIONS: The experience and interpretation of symptoms is an important source of delay and help seeking following onset of myocardial infarction symptoms.
Authors: J López de la Iglesia; E Martínez Ramos; L Pardo Franco; S Escudero Alvarez; R I Cañón de la Parra; M T Costas Mira Journal: Aten Primaria Date: 2003-03-15 Impact factor: 1.137
Authors: Anna Wikman; Nadine Messerli-Bürgy; Gerard J Molloy; Gemma Randall; Linda Perkins-Porras; Andrew Steptoe Journal: J Behav Med Date: 2011-07-09