23rd December 2002

Email this Page |

Most people who suffer heart attacks do not call for help quickly enough - with potentially fatal results, according to new research from the University of Ulster.

In findings relevant to the Christmas season of over-indulgence, researchers Donna Fitzsimons and Martin Dempster discovered that heart attack victims - even those who have had previous heart problems - often try to place a benign interpretation on their discomfort, delaying contact with the medical professionals who could save their lives.

Dr Fitzsimons and Research Nurse Rosa Carney studied 62 patients with heart attacks who were admitted to the Coronary Care Unit of Belfast City Hospital over a period of three months.

"Often people who are having a heart attack attribute their pain and discomfort to trivial causes - like indigestion. No one wants to think they might be having a heart attack,” said Dr Fitzsimons.

“But that reluctance or lack of understanding of the true meaning of the symptoms leads to potentially lethal delays in seeking help."

And even when people do send for help, up to half of patients are likely to ring their GP, rather than an emergency ambulance.

Modern clotbusting drugs must be administered within hours of the symptoms appearing - and the earlier the better,” said Dr Fitzsimons.

The longer the delay before medical help, the lower the victim's chances of survival. But the researchers found that the average delay time before calling for help was 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Rosa Carney added: "Surprisingly, we found that even people who have had heart problems in the past are no faster in calling for help. Symptoms of a heart attack vary from person to person but often include discomfort in chest, arm, neck or jaw, sometimes accompanied by sweating or nausea".

"But the message from this study is clear: if you think you may be having a heart attack - ring 999; delay can be deadly," said Dr Fitzsimons.

For further information, please contact:

Press Office Department of Communication and Development
Telephone: 028 9036 6178
Email: pressoffice@ulster.ac.uk