Half of all heart attack patients drive themselves to hospital, missing out on expert assessment, according to a new survey.

Of those who die of a heart attack, half do so within the first hour. So what happens during this time is of vital importance. If a person with a suspected heart attack calls 911, they are likely to get clotbusting drugs and aspirin more rapidly. If the heart stops, paramedics can apply a defibrillator to start it again. They will also call ahead to the hospital with clinical information so there are fewer delays on arrival.

Despite all this, half of those with a heart attack actually drive themselves, or are driven, to hospital - rather than call 911. Researchers at The University of Alabama at Birmingham Chest Pain Center surveyed 800,000 people who had had a heart attack during a four year study period. The researchers urge anyone with heart attack symptoms to call 911, rather than take themselves to hospital, so they can avail themselves of the best emergency treatment.

Source

Circulation 25th November 2002 (on-line) January 10 2003 (print)