Factors associated with delay in response to symptoms of acute myocardial infarction.

Abstract

For patients with an acute myocardial infarction (AMI), the time from symptom onset to initiation of medical treatment is a critical determinant of outcome both for survival and for preservation of myocardial tissue. This is true because the effectiveness of thrombolytic therapy is, inversely related to time between onset of symptoms and initiation of therapy. Studies have shown that the time that patients take to decide to seek help accounts for most of the delay, a factor that has not improved despite efforts in education campaigns. Thus far, only two studies on delay time have been conducted in Canada. The study objective was to describe the delay time and investigate the factors associated with delay in response to symptoms of AMI in a Canadian setting. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)