Study Finds Disparities in Awareness of Warning Signs of Heart Attacks

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A study of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that African Americans (16%) and Hispanics (14%) were less likely than their white counterparts (30%) to know the warning signs of a heart attack.

"The disparities...suggest that public health measures [to increase awareness about warning signs of heart attacks] should target blacks, Hispanics, men, and persons with less education," said the investigators in their study, published in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

In addition, they recommended that state and local departments of health work together to "implement general public awareness campaigns to increase...the percentage of persons who are both aware of all five [heart attack] signs and symptoms and who know to call 9-1-1 immediately if a person is having a heart attack or stroke."

The investigators, led by Dr. Jing Fang, conducted a telephone survey of adults in 13 states and Washington, DC, to assess public awareness of heart attack symptoms and, secondly, public knowledge of the need to call 9-1-1 if someone is having a heart attack.

Questions in the survey included:
• "Do you think pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, or back are symptoms of a heart attack?"
• "Do you think feeling weak, lightheaded, or faint are symptoms of a heart attack?"
• "Do you think chest pain or discomfort are symptoms of a heart attack?"
• "Do you think pain or discomfort in the arms or shoulder are symptoms of a heart attack?"
• "Do you think shortness of breath is a symptom of a heart attack?"

An incorrect symptom of heart attack, sudden difficulty with vision, was asked as well.

In addition, survey participants were asked a multiple-choice question regarding what action they would take if they thought someone was having a heart attack or stroke. The list of choices, from which they could select only one action, was:
• take the person to the hospital
• advise the person to call a doctor
• call 9-1-1
• call a spouse or family member or
• do something else.

Knowledge of all five warning signs of heart attacks, as well as the necessity of calling 9-1-1, was significantly higher among whites (30.2%), women (30.8%), and the college-educated (33.4%).

African Americans, Hispanics and those with less-than-high-school education had lower rates of knowledge, at 16.2%, 14.3% and 15.7%, respectively.

Among the men in the survey, 22.5% were aware of all five warning signs and the need to call 9-1-1.

The investigators acknowledged that their study had limitations.

For example, some data used in the study may have been biased since it relied on self-reports of participants, whose answers may have been inaccurate.

Moreover, households without landline telephones were excluded from the study, making the study's findings less representative of certain sub-populations.

The investigators admitted also that new treatments have resulted in medical advances for heart attack patients, though clot-busting drugs should be given to patients within one hour of commencement of heart attack symptoms.

source: Jing Fang and colleagues. Disparities in Adult Awareness of Heart Attack Warning Signs and Symptoms - 14 States, 2005. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 2008; 57(07);175-179.

RELATED LINKS:

American Heart Association

American Heart Association – En español

American Heart Association, Alta Presion Arterial, Calculador de Riesgos

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Heart Disease Facts and Statistics

Association of Black Cardiologists

Copyright 2008 New England Ethnic News, EthnicNewz.org. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the express permission of the source. Contact Newz for more information.

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