A recent study from Monash University has uncovered a critical issue affecting women’s outcomes in heart attack emergencies. While women report a slightly higher likelihood of calling 000 when experiencing heart attack symptoms, they are significantly less comfortable doing so compared to men. This hesitancy—often due to concerns about being a burden, uncertainty about symptom severity, or a preference to consult their GP first—can result in dangerous delays in receiving life-saving care.
Understanding the Hesitancy
The study examined data from over 34,000 Australians and revealed key differences in how women and men respond to suspected heart attack symptoms:
- High Intention, Low Comfort: Although 70.4% of women say they would call 000, only 69.1% feel comfortable making that call, compared to 76.7% of men.
- Fear of Being a Burden: More than one-third of women hesitate due to a fear of burdening emergency services—a significantly higher proportion than in men.
- Preference for Familiarity: Many women prefer to consult their own GP and may believe they are at a lower risk, even when experiencing symptoms that could indicate a heart attack.
These findings highlight a pressing need for effective patient education, especially among women, to overcome barriers and encourage immediate action in the face of potential cardiac events.
The Critical Role of Nurses
As frontline healthcare professionals, nurses are uniquely positioned to make a difference in this area. You are not only essential in delivering acute care but also play a pivotal role in patient education and community health promotion. Here’s how nurses can help:
- Patient Education: During routine visits or health checks, take the opportunity to educate female patients about the importance of calling 000 at the first sign of heart attack symptoms. Emphasise the principle of "call first, decide later"—a delay in seeking help can be life-threatening.
- Clarifying Misconceptions: Address common concerns by discussing why early intervention is crucial and reassuring patients that emergency services are there to help, not to judge or burden.
- Empowering Through Knowledge: Provide clear, concise information on recognising both typical and atypical heart attack symptoms. Reinforce that even subtle symptoms deserve immediate attention.
- Community Outreach: Engage in community health talks and workshops focused on cardiovascular health. Tailored messages that resonate with women—explaining the risks and benefits of prompt action—can help shift perceptions.
Strategies for Overcoming Barriers
In addition to education, consider these strategies to empower your patients:
- Use Real-World Examples: Share success stories where early intervention by calling 000 made a significant difference in outcomes. Real-world narratives can help demystify emergency procedures.
- Build Trust: Foster a supportive environment where patients feel comfortable discussing their fears and hesitations. A trusting relationship can be the key to encouraging decisive action during emergencies.
- Collaborate with Emergency Services: Work closely with local paramedics and emergency response teams to ensure that consistent, reassuring messages about calling 000 are disseminated across all levels of care.
- Tailored Communication: Recognise that language barriers, cultural differences, and varying levels of health literacy can affect how messages are received. Adapt your communication style to meet the needs of diverse patient groups.
Moving Forward
The findings from Monash University underscore an important reality: timely access to emergency care is a critical determinant of outcomes in heart attack cases, and nurses play an integral role in facilitating that access. By addressing the hesitations that prevent women from calling 000 promptly, you can help reduce delays in care, ultimately improving survival rates and reducing complications.
As you continue to support your patients, consider incorporating these insights into your practice and community outreach efforts. Empowerment through education, trust, and clear communication can transform how women respond to potential heart attack symptoms—making the difference between a life saved and a life lost.
Resources:
Why women wait to call 000 when they suspect they're having a heart attack | Monash UniversitySex differences in the intention and decision to use emergency medical services for acute coronary syndrome in Australia: a retrospective study
