title: A community survey of cardiac emergency skills: symptom recognition and CPR.
abstract: This descriptive study assessed recognition of symptoms of myocardial infarction (MI) by community members and their ability to respond to emergency situations with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills. One thousand questionnaires were randomly mailed to residents with a response rate of 48.1%. Results indicated that residents have limited awareness of symptoms of MI other than demonstrated chest pain and that 20.6% of the respondents had taken a CPR course. CPR courses were taken by 9.6% of respondents who had one or more relatives diagnosed with heart disease. The lack of awareness of symptoms of MI and limited ability to perform CPR skills in emergency situations by community residents may contribute to the high mortality rates due to heart disease. Results of the study suggest that educational campaigns be instituted in the community under study to promote recognition of and response to cardiac emergencies.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kirk-Gardner
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Crossman
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Steven
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000592:standards*; D003256:Community Participation; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D009864:Ontario; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires