The Effect of Media Campaigns, Patient Characteristics, and Presenting Symptoms on Prehospital Delay in Myocardial Infarction Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: Delays in reperfusion therapy for myocardial infarction (MI) are associated with increased mortality and morbidity, and most of this delay is due to delay in patients initiating contact with emergency services. This study assesses the impact of the Australian National Heart Foundation media campaign and identifies patient characteristics and presenting symptoms that may contribute to delay.

Methods: This prospective cohort study identified patients with a diagnosis of MI admitted to a single tertiary metropolitan hospital in Perth, Western Australia from July 2013 to January 2014.

Myocardial infarction, patient decision delay and help-seeking behaviour: a thematic analysis.

Aims And Objectives: To explore patient decision delay, the symptom experience and factors that motivated the patient experiencing myocardial infarction to go to the emergency department.

Background: Reperfusion for myocardial infarction is more effective if performed as soon as possible after the onset of symptoms. Multiple studies show that prehospital delay is long and can average several hours.