Knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about heart disease and delay in seeking care for myocardial infarction

Abstract

Background: Heart disease is a major health problem in many countries worldwide, accounting for 30percent of all global deaths. In spite of advances in medical treatment, the rates of mortality and morbidity from acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remain high. Rapid restoration of coronary blood flow reduces the risk of AMI and prevents the development of complications. The main contributor to delay in initiating treatment for AMI is patient delay in recognizing symptoms and deciding to seek medical care.Aim: To explore the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about heart disease in Lebanese patients with AMI. Another aim is to identify the correlation of knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about AMI with demographic and clinical characteristics and delay time.Methods: A total of 50 patients were recruited from two hospitals in Beirut and interviewed in their hospital rooms. Knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about AMI were measured using the ACS Response Index questionnaire and the Control Attitude Scale-Revised.Results: More than half of the patients demonstrated low level of knowledge, with only 26percent scoring70percent. Regarding attitudes, most of the patients reported confidence in recognizing MI symptoms in themselves (76percent) or in others (71.1percent), and differentiating its symptoms from those of other diseases (65.4percent).Most of the patients (96percent) reported that they would go to the emergency room (ER) if chest pain persisted more than 15 min even if not sure it is MI, and that they would rather go with someone than by ambulance (90percent).More than half of the sample reported being able to control and cope with their disease and its symptoms. Men and those with low level of education had more confidence in recognizing AMI symptoms than women and those with higher education. No significant clinical correlates were found.Conclusion: The findings suggest the need to educate patients about the nature of cardiac symptoms, how to respond to them and the benefits of early treatment through awareness campaigns for the population at risk. Education