Bystanders of out-of-hospital sudden heart attack: knowledge and behaviors among older African Americans.
A community-based study of 425 older African Americans assessed whether their knowledge and behaviors were consistent with current recommendations regarding out-of-hospital sudden heart attack. More than 90% of the study participants were able to recognize major symptoms of sudden heart attack such as chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, fainting, and sweating, and, to a lesser extent, atypical pain, nausea, lightheadedness, and unexplained anxiety. When asked what they would do first in case they witness sudden heart attack, 97% responded that they would call emergency medical services. In contrast, of the participants who actually witnessed sudden heart attack, 80% called emergency medical services, whereas 20% waited to see if the symptoms would go away; called a neighbor, relative, or a friend before contacting emergency medical services; or took the victim to the hospital. These findings show that reported behavioral intentions were satisfactory, but actual bystanders' actions were not always consistent with current recommendations regarding sudden heart attack.
Demirovic
Jasenka
J
University of Texas Health Science Center, School of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology, Houston, TX 77004, USA. jasenka.demirovic@uth.tmc.edu
Li
Yen-Peng
YP
D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000523:psychology*; D012737:Sex Factors