Relationship between prodromal (warning) symptoms and referring time in patients with myocardial infarction

Aim.The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between prodromal symptoms and referring time in patients with myocardial infarction in cardiac care unit of Rafsanjan Imam Ali-ibnAbi-Talib hospital in 2012.
Background.There is little information about how people respond to prodromal symptoms of myocardial infarction and how fast they refer to medical centers.
Method.In a cross-sectional study, 175 patients with acute myocardial infarction were recruited. For data collection, lasting about seven months, a questionnaire consisting of demographic data, risk factors for heart disease, prodromal symptoms, referring time and causesof delay was used. Questionnaires were completed by the researcher with bedside interview with patient and using medical records. Data were analyzed in SPSS version 18 using descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, frequency distribution and percentage) and inferential statistics (Chi-square test and Pearson coefficient).
Findings.The majority of patients were male (76.6%) and middle-aged (53.1). Of 175 patients, 132 (75.4%) had experienced warning sign, two weeks before the cardiac event and 43 (24.6%) had experienced no symptoms. Also, 51 patients (38.6%) had referred the physician office, clinic or hospital after experiencing warning signs. The time duration of patients arrival to hospital ranged from 15 minutes to 1500 minutes. There was a statistically significant correlations between prodromal symptoms and referring time in patients with myocardial infarction (p=0.007). Findings showed that the average total referring time was 206.94 minutes.
Conclusion. Recognizing prodromal symptoms leads to earlier seeking treatment in patients with myocardial infarction. Education for increasing public awareness of warning symptoms, especially for those with family history and risk of cardiovascular disease seems to be an appropriate strategy.