Public perceptions and experiences of myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest and CPR in London.
BACKGROUND
The lay public have limited knowledge of the symptoms of myocardial infarction ("heart attack"), and inaccurate perceptions of cardiac arrest survival rates. Levels of CPR training and willingness to intervene in cardiac emergencies are also low.


OBJECTIVE
To explore public perceptions of myocardial infarction and cardiac arrest; investigate perceptions of cardiac arrest survival rates; assess levels of training and attitudes towards CPR, and explore the types of interventions considered useful for increasing rates of bystander CPR among Greater London residents.


METHODS
A quantitative interview survey was conducted with 1011 Greater London residents. Eight focus groups were also conducted to explore a range of issues in greater depth and validate trends that emerged in the initial survey.


RESULTS
Chest pain was the most commonly recognised symptom of "heart attack". Around half of the respondents were aware that a myocardial infarction differs from a cardiac arrest, although their ability to explain this difference was limited. The majority overestimated that at least a quarter of cardiac arrest patients in London survive to hospital discharge. Few participants had received CPR training, and most were hesitant about performing the procedure on a stranger.


CONCLUSIONS
Awareness and knowledge of CPR, and reactions to cardiac emergencies, reflect relatively low levels of CPR training in London. Publicising cardiac arrest survival figures may be instrumental in prompting members of the public to train in CPR and motivating those who have been trained to intervene in a cardiac emergency.
Donohoe
Rachael T
RT
Clinical Audit and Research Unit, London Ambulance Service NHS Trust, London SE1 0BW, UK.
Haefeli
Karen
K
Moore
Fionna
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006323:Heart Arrest; D006801:Humans; D008131:London; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000401:mortality; D011639:Public Opinion; D015996:Survival Rate