[Effect of delayed application for medical help on the clinical course of myocardial infarction]
Insights
Patients often delay seeking emergency medical help for myocardial infarction due to unawareness of symptoms and fear of hospitalization. This delay increases complication risks despite effective hospital treatment for heart attack patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Myocardial infarction (MI) is a leading cause of mortality worldwide.
- Timely medical intervention is crucial for improving outcomes in MI patients.
- Patient-related factors significantly influence the delay in seeking emergency care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate factors contributing to delayed hospitalization in myocardial infarction patients.
- To understand patient perceptions and behaviors regarding emergency medical service utilization for cardiac events.
Main Methods:
- Questionnaire-based study involving 203 patients with myocardial infarction.
- Analysis of medical records and emergency call data.
- Identification of factors influencing first aid application and treatment outcomes.
Main Results:
- The primary reason for delayed hospitalization is patient unawareness of critical symptoms and the need for immediate ambulance services.
- Patients often underestimate symptom severity, attempt self-treatment, or delay care due to domestic responsibilities or fear of hospitalization.
- Late first aid application correlates with a higher incidence of post-discharge complications, even with appropriate inpatient care.
Conclusions:
- Patient education on recognizing myocardial infarction symptoms and the importance of prompt emergency care is essential.
- Addressing patient-related barriers, such as fear and underestimation of risk, can improve timely access to treatment.
- Reducing delays in seeking medical attention is critical for mitigating complications and improving long-term prognosis in myocardial infarction survivors.
Abstract:
This questionnaire study included 203 patients with myocardial infarction (48 men and 24 women at the initial stages of the disease, 50 men and 81 women with a history of coronary heart disease) treated at the city clinical hospital No 50. Data from their medical cards and emergency call records were analyzed for the elucidation of factors influencing timely application for the first aid, the process of hospital treatment, and its final outcome. It was shown that the main cause of late hospitalization is the patients' unawareness of the danger of major clinical symptoms and of the necessity to call an ambulance for their management. Most patients rely on spontaneous recovery in case of moderate pain; those suffering severe pain either try to cope with the diseases by themselves or look for a doctor among their acquaintances. Patients underestimating the risk of further deterioration turn to pressing domesticities instead of seeking medical aid immediately, others are reluctant to stay in a hospital or go through emotional experience associated with hospitalization. Late application for the first aid accounts for the enhanced frequency of complications after discharge from the hospital despite adequate inpatient treatment.
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