Survival rates and prehospital delay during myocardial infarction among black persons.

Over a 12-month period, a consecutive series of 111 black patients admitted to a municipal hospital in Chicago was studied. The 2-week mortality rate for the entire group was 19% (95% confidence intervals, 11.7 to 26.3), and the rate was twice as high for women as for men. A history of systemic hypertension was encountered in 75% of the patients, and diabetes mellitus was present in 33%, although they were not significant predictors of mortality within this group. The delay time from onset of symptoms to arrival at the hospital was markedly prolonged compared with studies of predominantly white populations--twice as long at the median and 3 times as long at the mean. Preventive campaigns aimed at this population should include educating patients on the symptoms of coronary artery disease and encouraging them to seek prompt medical care. Attention must also be given to eliminating obstacles to access to care in this group.