Patients' and relatives' thoughts and actions during and after symptom presentation for an acute myocardial infarction.
BACKGROUND
Relatives play an important role in deciding to seek medical care after the onset of symptoms of an acute myocardial infarction (AMI).


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to gain deeper understanding of how AMI patients and their relatives think and act during and after onset of symptoms.


METHODS
Six focus group interviews were conducted with AMI patients (N=13) and relatives (N=14). Manifest content analysis was used to analyse the transcribed data.


RESULTS
The AMI patients experienced a variety of symptoms and both patients and relatives often felt uncertain about the origin of the symptoms, interpreted them as less serious conditions and tried to alleviate the discomfort in various ways. When symptoms continued the patients consulted a relative, who often decided to seek care. Many considered waiting for an ambulance was too long and the relative often drove the patients to the hospital.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients as well as relatives were insecure about AMI symptoms and how to act. All patients contacted a relative, who was more eager than the patient to seek help. Many preferred to go in their own car to the hospital, believing it to be faster than an ambulance. Information about AMI symptoms and recommended action should be given to the public and to AMI patients and their relatives.
Henriksson
C
C
Uppsala Clinical Research Centre, Uppsala University Hospital, SE 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden. catrin.henriksson@ucr.uu.se
Lindahl
B
B
Larsson
M
M
D000208:Acute Disease; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000552:Ambulances; D000786:Anger; D003325:Coronary Care Units; D003657:Decision Making; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000523:psychology*; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden; D013997:Time Factors; D014187:Transportation of Patients