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Response to a cardiac event in relation to cardiac knowledge and risk perception in a Lebanese sample: a cross
Samar Noureddine1, Erika Sivarajan Froelicher, Abla M Sibai
1Rafic Hariri School of Nursing, American University of Beirut, P.O. Box 11-0236, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon. sn00@aub.edu.lb
Insights
Many Lebanese adults recognize major heart disease symptoms but often associate them with irrelevant issues. Few would seek emergency care first, highlighting a need for public health campaigns on heart attack response.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Public Health
- Health Behavior
Background:
- Heart disease is a leading cause of death globally and in Lebanon.
- Advances in treatment have improved outcomes, but prompt care is crucial.
- Early symptom recognition and rapid healthcare seeking are vital for successful heart disease treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between knowledge of heart disease symptoms, perceived cardiac risk, and response to heart attack symptoms in Lebanese adults.
- To assess public awareness and preparedness for cardiac events in Lebanon.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional descriptive survey design.
- Convenience sample of 399 adult hospital visitors in Beirut without pre-existing heart disease.
- Utilized Illness Perception Questionnaire, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, and an open-ended question on emergency response.
Main Results:
- 94% recognized major heart disease symptoms (e.g., chest pain), but many (68%) also identified irrelevant symptoms (e.g., irritability).
- Only 21% would seek emergency care first during a heart attack.
- Symptom knowledge and perceived risk did not correlate with appropriate emergency response; marital status was the sole significant predictor.
Conclusions:
- Findings indicate insufficient knowledge of cardiac symptoms and a tendency towards inappropriate responses during a heart attack.
- Public health campaigns are essential to enhance heart health awareness and promote timely emergency care seeking in Lebanon.
Background:
Heart disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in many countries, including Lebanon. The continuing advances in the treatment of heart disease have improved patient outcomes significantly over the years. Nevertheless, prompt treatment remains essential to treatment success, which depends on the person's early recognition of cardiac symptoms and quick seeking of care.
Objective:
The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between knowledge of symptoms of heart disease, perceived cardiac risk and the potential response to a heart attack in a sample of Lebanese adults.
Design:
A cross sectional descriptive survey design was used. A convenience sample of 399 adult hospital visitors who did not have heart disease were interviewed in two major referral hospitals in Beirut.
Measures:
The Illness Perception Questionnaire and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were used; in addition an open-ended question was asked to elicit what the visitor would do in case he/she experienced cardiac symptoms.
Results:
While most participants (94%) correctly recognized major symptoms of heart disease (like chest pain and dyspnea), they also reported irrelevant symptoms to be associated with heart disease (like irritability by 68% and muscle cramps by 52%). Only 21% of participants reported that they would seek emergency care as their first response if they were experiencing a heart attack. Knowledge of symptoms and perceived cardiac risk were not associated with the response to a heart attack. Being single was the only significant predictor of choosing the appropriate response when experiencing a cardiac event.
Conclusion:
The findings suggest lack of adequate knowledge of cardiac symptoms and a high potential for inappropriate responses when symptoms occur. Public health heart health campaigns are needed to raise awareness about heart disease in Lebanon.
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