Knowledge of heart attack symptoms in a community survey of Victoria.
OBJECTIVE
To ascertain the level of knowledge of heart attack symptoms in the Victorian public.


METHODS
This was a cross sectional telephone survey conducted during 2000-01. The questionnaire contained sections regarding participant demographics and knowledge of heart attack symptoms.


RESULTS
A total of 1489 people completed the questionnaire (79% of eligible participants). The mean number of correct heart attack symptoms was 2.5 (95% CI 2.45, 2.60) (median three out of 10). Only 4.2% of participants reported at least five correct symptoms and 4.1% could not report any symptoms. A total of 84.6% of respondents reported chest pain as a symptom of heart attack.


CONCLUSIONS
The Victorian public appears to lack the knowledge of the varied range of heart attack symptoms. Methods of disseminating information regarding symptoms and ways to reduce prehospital delay need to be devised, particularly methods which target the older 'at risk' population.
Smith
Karen L
KL
Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash Medical School, Monash University, Alfred Hospital, Commercial Road, Prahran, Vic. 3181, Australia. karen.smith@med.monash.edu.au
Cameron
Peter A
PA
Meyer
Alastair
A
McNeil
John J
JJ
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D019359:Knowledge; D008297:Male; D014739:Victoria