Perception of symptoms of infarction

Abstract

To establish patients' perception regarding their own experience of symptoms of acute myocardial infarction [AM]), (the elapsed time between the onsets of the first symptoms, to the decision to seek emergency medical services), a qualitative study was performed. The study was done with semi-structured interviews of seventy patients, who were admitted with AMI at two hospitals in urban areas in Bogotá, Colombia. The results can be grouped into four categories that influence the decision making process to seek emergency care: (a) perception and interpretation of symptoms, (b) perceived risk for AMI, (c) first response, and (d) someone else's response to the symptoms. In conclusion, knowledge of AMI symptoms may be not enough to promote prompt action in the event of said occurrence. Cognitive and emotional processes, individual beliefs and values, and the context of where the event occurs should be considered in individual interventions designed to reduce delays in initiation of emergency medical treatment.