Have Attitudes Changed in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome—A Review from Onset of Chest Pain to Calling an Ambulance?

Abstract

S Heart, Lung and CirculationAbstracts S309 2012;21:S143-S316 CSANZ 2012 Abstracts dietary choices and improve cardiovascular health will require a socially cohesive approach which includes families and communities.http://dx. Aims:To investigate patients attitudes in commencing nitrates for treatment of symptoms of ACS and calling for an ambulance if these symptoms persist.Method: Patients admitted during a two-month period to a metropolitan hospital with a previous diagnosis of Acute Coronary Syndrome were interviewed. Patients were excluded if they were under the age of 18, were a resident from a nursing home or non-English speaking.Results: Twenty-two patients were interviewed. The age ranged from 45 to 86 years. It was found that 50% of patients called an ambulance for treatment relating to their chest pain. Nine percent called an ambulance within 30 min of presentation of ACS symptoms, only 4% called an ambulance after 15 min. Delays in calling an ambulance ranged from 15 min to 3 days. Other methods of transportation to hospital included driving oneself 9%, or relaying on a 3rd person 36%. Within the group of patients who did call an ambulance 18% used nitrates. Furthermore within this group 9% used nitrates appropriately as prescribed by the National Heart Foundation. Overall commencement of nitrates therapy and technique was poor with 27% using nitrates in an ad hoc manner and 63% not using nitrates at all.Conclusion: It is evident that despite experiencing a previous ACS event patients are delaying calling an ambulance and commencing nitrate treatment or not using this drug correctly. Despite in-hospital education, Cardiologist and GP follow-up and Cardiac Rehabilitation there is still an education gap in patient disease management and understanding. http://dx.