Would you know if you were having a heart attack?
Publication Date:27/05/2008
A heart attack is a life-threatening emergency in which every second counts. But new research shows that nearly half of all people at high risk of having a heart attack don't know the warning signs. And this could cost them valuable time in getting treatment.
What do we know already?
A heart attack happens when one of the vessels taking blood to the heart is suddenly blocked. If your heart doesn't get the blood it needs, it becomes damaged and begins to die. Heart attacks are most often the result of coronary artery disease, which is a type of heart disease. This leads to blood vessels called arteries becoming hard and narrow, making them more likely to become blocked. People with heart disease are five to seven times more likely to have a heart attack than other people.
Each year about a quarter of a million people in the UK have a heart attack, and just over half live through it. Being treated within an hour of getting symptoms increases the chance of surviving by 50 percent.
What does the new study say?
Recognizing the symptoms of a heart attack is key to getting treatment early. But the study found that nearly half of patients with a history of heart disease don't fully understand the symptoms of a heart attack and don't think they are at high risk of having one. If patients don't know the symptoms, they might not seek treatment for them. And if they don't think they're at risk of having a heart attack, they may look for another explanation if they do get symptoms.
Tell me more about the study's findings
Researchers surveyed more than 3,500 people who'd already had a heart attack or who had already needed treatment to widen narrowed arteries. People were asked to identify possible heart attack symptoms and answer true-or-false questions about heart disease. They were also asked whether they thought they were more or less likely than other people their age to have a heart attack in the next five years.
Of those surveyed, 44 percent had below-average understanding about heart attack symptoms and heart disease. A similar proportion thought they were no more at risk of a heart attack than others of their age. Men, elderly people and those with low levels of education were among those most likely to score low.
Where does the study come from?
The study was funded by the National Institute of Nursing Research, which is part of the National Institutes of Health in the Unites States. It was published by the Archives of Internal Medicine, which is a journal produced by the American Medical Association.
What does this mean for me?
If you have heart disease, this study's findings may be a wake-up call. Understanding your risk of having a heart attack and knowing the symptoms could save your life. If you ever have any of the following symptoms, call 999 immediately.
- Pain or discomfort in the centre of your chest: some people describe the pain as crushing, tightening, constricting or pressing. It can feel as if someone has tied a belt around your chest and is pulling it tighter and tighter until your breath is gone. But the pain can also be mild. Some people describe it as a dull ache or heavy feeling in their chest. It can also feel like a bad case of indigestion.
- Pain or discomfort elsewhere: you may also have pain in one or both of your arms, your neck, jaw or back.
- Feeling short of breath.
- Feeling sick or sweaty.
- Feeling faint or dizzy.
For both men and women, the most common symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are more likely to have other symptoms, such as shortness of breath, nausea, and back or jaw pain.
What should I do now?
Talk to your GP if you are at all unsure about the symptoms of a heart attack or whether you are at risk of having one. If you have heart disease, you may want to review the signs of a heart attack with your doctor whenever you have a check-up.
If you've already had a heart attack, you could also ask your doctor about extra education and counselling, which may be available through a cardiac rehabilitation programme. People in the study were more likely to know the symptoms of a heart attack and understand their risk if they had attended this type of programme.
And if you ever suspect you might be having a heart attack, don't wait just because you're not certain, or you don't wish to make a fuss. Call 999 for an ambulance without delay rather than attempting to drive to hospital. You'll be able to get the treatment you need much faster and this could save your life.
From:
Dracup K, McKinley S, Doering LV, et al. Acute coronary syndrome: what do patients know? Archives of Internal Medicine. 2008; 168: 1049-1054.
To learn more about heart disease and heart attacks, see our information on stable angina, unstable angina and heart attack.
You can also visit the British Heart Foundation's Doubt Kills campaign, http://www.bhf.org.uk/Doubtkills/the_doubt_kills_campaign.aspx.
News Archive
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited ("BMJ Group") 2007. All rights reserved
This information does not replace medical advice. If you are concerned you might have a medical problem please ask your Boots pharmacy team in your local Boots store, or see your doctor.
