|
|
|
 |
Blacks and Hispanics less aware of heart attack signs Every year, an estimated 700,000 Americans have a first heart attack, with another 500,000 suffering a recurrent attack. About 40 percent of these people die as a result, yet many of these individuals would have survived if bystanders had recognized the symptoms and called 911. In a survey of 33,059 adults, mostly aged 25 to 64, the researchers found that while knowledge of heart attack symptoms is poor within the general population, it is especially poor among African-Americans and Hispanics, yet heart attacks are more prevalent among these populations than among whites. Participants indicated their ability to recognize five signs of cardiac distress: chest pain or discomfort; pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck or back; pain or discomfort in arms and shoulders; feeling weak, lightheaded, or faint; and shortness of breath. One problem researchers found, however, is that many hospitals have closed in minority neighborhoods, meaning even with increased awareness of the symptoms of heart attack and knowing to call 911, minorities could still face longer travel times to get to an emergency room. Source:Center for the Advancement of Health, “Blacks, Hispanics less aware of when to call 911 for heart attack signs,” May 7, 2008. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1708
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||
