Thoughts and behaviors of women with symptoms of acute coronary syndrome

Abstract

Objective Women delay seeking care for symptoms of Acute Coronary Syndromes (ACS) because of atypical symptoms, perceptions of invulnerability, or keeping symptoms to themselves. The purpose of this study was to explore how women recognized and interpreted their symptoms and subsequently decided whether to seek treatment within the context of their lives. Method Grounded theory was used to provide the methodological basis for data generation and analysis. Data were collected using in-depth interviews with 9 women with ACS. Results All participants went through a basic social process of searching for the meaning of their symptoms which informed their decisions about seeking care. Stages in the process included noticing symptoms, forming a symptom pattern, using a frame of reference, finding relief, and assigning causality. The evolving MI group (n=5) experienced uncertainty about bodily cues, continued life as usual, until others moved them towards care. The immediately recognizable MI group (n=4) labeled their condition quickly, yet delayed, as they prepared themselves and others for their departure. Conclusions All women delayed, regardless of their ability to correctly label their symptoms. Education aimed at symptom recognition/interpretation addresses only part of the problem. Women also should be educated about the potential danger of overestimating the time they have to seek medical attention.

Interpretation of symptoms as a cause of delays in patients with acute myocardial infarction, Istanbul, Turkey

“…The third section of the survey consisted of nine structured statements, which described the interpretations of symptoms. Patients were asked to answer each statement on a 5-point Likert-type scale: strongly disagree (1), disagree (2), not sure (3), agree (4) and strongly agree (5). The total score ranged from 9 to 45.…”

“…Mortality associated with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) occurs within the first 2 hours after the onset of symptoms, and common complications include recurrent ischaemia, reinfarction, ventricular arrhythmia and cardiac death (1)(2)(3). The time between onset of MI symptoms and initiation of coronary reperfusion is a determining factor of morbidity and mortality (2,4,5).…”

“…The time between onset of MI symptoms and initiation of coronary reperfusion is a determining factor of morbidity and mortality (2,4,5). Early recognition of AMI-related symptoms and strategies for enhancing early diagnosis and treatment avoid fatalities and maintain quality of life by improving coronary reperfusion and reducing the possibility of death from ventricular arrhythmia (2,6,7).…”

“…(1) Do patients with AMI symptoms delay seeking treatment? (2) What are the prehospital interpretations of symptoms, and the predictors that may contribute to delay in patients with AMI?…”

Acute coronary syndrome

“…Более подробное изучение причин, по кото-рым женщины не сразу обращаются за помо-щью, показало, что ведущим фактором являет-ся стремление организовать распределение сво-их обязанностей в семье и на рабочем месте перед тем, как обратиться в службу медицин-ской помощи [8].…”