Delays in Seeking Care

نویسندگان

  • Mary Norine Walsh
  • Karen E. Joynt
چکیده

Our mothers have a few things in common. They are intelligent, self-aware, and careful. And both of them have daughters who are cardiologists. Unfortunately, they also share the dubious honor of having delayed calling for emergency care after developing cardiovascular symptoms. One mom, a healthy 80-year-old retired insurance agent, noticed some numbness in her face and tongue and weakness in her left hand; when these symptoms did not go away, she became concerned that she might be having a stroke and called the nurse help line provided by her health plan. Not surprisingly, the nurse instructed her to hang up and dial 911—but instead, she called a family member and asked for a ride to the hospital. Thankfully, her symptoms resolved, tests were negative, and she has felt well since then. The other mom, a 74-year-old retired physical therapist, experienced severe indigestion after dinner one evening. She was able to fall asleep as it came and went, but was awakened in the middle of the night by discomfort radiating to her jaw and arms—so she woke her husband, and after some discussion, they drove to the local emergency room, where she was found to be having an inferior ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction. Though both were aware of the symptoms of stroke and heart attack, neither woman thought it would happen to her. Neither did the family members who transported them to the hospital. And, as both concerned daughters and data-driven clinicians and researchers, we got to thinking: how could we make this better? There are many important steps in seeking care for symptoms that might be cardiovascular in nature. First, one needs to be aware of the signs and symptoms of cardiovascular disease. Second, one has to connect the symptoms one is experiencing to the possibility of a stroke or heart attack—the recognition that this could be one of those 2 serious conditions. And finally, one needs to rapidly seek care. What is the evidence, then, about these 3 decision points as they apply to women? Are women less knowledgeable about signs and symptoms of CVD? Less likely to recognize cardiovascular symptoms in themselves? Are they slower to seek care? And are these women’s problems or everyone’s problems?

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تاریخ انتشار 2016