Most Americans lacking in heart attack knowledge

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Relatively few Americans have the knowledge to recognize and properly react to a heart attack, a government study suggests.

In a survey of nearly 72,000 U.S. adults, researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that only 27 percent were aware of all five major signs of heart attack and would call 911 if they thought someone was having a heart attack or stroke.

The findings point to a need for better public education, the CDC authors' conclude in the Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report. This is especially true for men, minorities and less-educated Americans, who were particularly lacking in heart attack knowledge, the researchers write.

The findings are based on data from a 2005 survey of 71,994 adults in 14 states; respondents were asked to choose "yes," "no," or "don't know/not sure" for questions of heart attack signs or symptoms.

Overall, the CDC found, 31 percent of respondents recognized all five major warning signs and symptoms: shortness of breath; chest pain; pain in the jaw, neck or back; pain in the arm or shoulder; and weakness or lightheadedness.

Only 18 percent correctly identified these signs and symptoms and were also able to detect the one incorrect example of a heart attack symptom: sudden trouble seeing.

When given a list of potential actions to take if they thought someone was having a heart attack, a total of 86 percent said they would call 911. But the percentage varied according to sex, race, education and state of residence.

Overall, women, whites and respondents with more education were more likely to be aware of all the heart attack warning signs and said they would dial 911 compared with men, minorities and less-educated respondents.

Respondents in West Virginia had the highest level of awareness, with 35 percent recognizing the importance of calling 911 and knowing all five heart attack warning signs. Conversely, Washington, DC residents had the lowest awareness of these factors, at 16 percent.

Heart attack deaths would decrease if more people got to the hospital at the first warning signs, the CDC points out.

There are, for example, "clot-busting" drugs that can sometimes stop a heart attack in progress, but they should ideally be given within an hour of the first symptoms.

To get prompt medical care, people need to be able to quickly recognize the heart attack red flags. Based on the current findings, the CDC concludes, "state and local public health measures should be developed to improve awareness of heart warning signs and symptoms."

SOURCE: Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report, February 22, 2008.