Why people experiencing acute myocardial infarction delay seeking medical assistance.

BACKGROUND

Delay time from onset of symptoms of myocardial infarction to seeking medical assistance can have life-threatening consequences. A number of factors have been associated with delay, but there is little evidence regarding the predictive value of these indices.

AIM

To explore potential predictors of patient delay from onset of symptoms to time medical assistance was sought in a consecutive sample of patients admitted to CCU with acute myocardial infarction.

METHODS

The Cardiac Denial of Impact Scale, Health Locus of Control Scale, Health Value Scale and Pennebaker Inventory of Limbic Languidness were administered to 62 patients between 3 and 6 days after admission.

RESULTS

Attribution of symptoms to heart disease and health locus of control had a significant predictive effect on patients seeking help within 60 min, while previous experience of heart disease did not.

CONCLUSION

Assisting individuals to recognise the potential for symptoms to have a cardiac origin is an important objective. Interventions should take into account the variety of cognitive and behavioural factors involved in decision making.