LEVEL OF AWARENESS REGARDING EARLY SIGN AND SYMPTOMS OF MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION IN HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS:  A MAJOR CAUSE OF PRE HOSPITAL DELAY IN PATIENTS WITH AMI

Mandeep Kaur; Dr. (Mrs.) Parampal Kaur

Volume : V, Issue : VIII, August - 2016

LEVEL OF AWARENESS REGARDING EARLY SIGN AND SYMPTOMS OF MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION IN HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS: A MAJOR CAUSE OF PRE HOSPITAL DELAY IN PATIENTS WITH AMI

Mandeep Kaur, Dr. Mrs. Parampal Kaur

Abstract :

Background: The burden of the chronic non–communicable diseases, especially heart disease and hypertension is rising in the low and the middle–income countries, particularly in Asia.1 But majority of the population with hypertension does not have sufficient knowledge regarding early sign and symptoms of myocardial infarction (MI) as the sign and symptoms appear in a confusing way hence causes delay in seeking treatment.2 Objective: Assess the level of awareness regarding early sign and symptoms of myocardial infarction among hypertensive patients. Methods: A present study is conducted by using descriptive research design. Through purposive sampling, 60 subjects were selected. Data was collected with interview method by using self structured knowledge questionnaire. Collected data was analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: None of subject had excellent level of knowledge followed by 31.67% had good level of knowledge, 65% had average and 3.33% had below average knowledge regarding early sign and symptoms of myocardial infarction. Typical symptoms of MI i.e chest pain was recognized by 83.3% subjects, followed by difficulty in eathing (68.3%), radiation of chest pain to neck and shoulders (45%), jaw pain (58.33%), sweating (65%) and dizziness & double vision (51.66%). Calculated mean score for typical symptom was 32.25 (SD=11.64). Atypical symptoms were mentioned by few respondents and calculated mean score was 27.77 (SD=10.53). Conclusion: The study demonstrated lack of knowledge regarding early sign and symptoms of MI among the hypertensive patients.