Delayed help-seeking for emergency medical care of patients with acute coronary syndrome/myocardial infarction: review of studies

Abstract

The review article provides an analysis of domestic and foreign studies evaluating the dynamics of temporary indicators of prehospital medical care for patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS)/myocardial infarction (MI). It was noted that the delay in applying for medical care of patients with ACS/MI is currently a significant factor determining the effectiveness of the treatment of these diseases. Over the past decades, modern treatment methods and bright-line health system recommendations have appeared. Significant progress has been made in reducing the time from calling an ambulance to receiving treatment, especially in developed countries. However, in spite of the efforts made, the problem of late appealability of patients is still unresolved. In the world and inRussia, experience aimed to educate patients in terms of ACS/MI symptoms and the importance of timely help-seeking has been gained at the population level. There is no doubt that along with organizational measures aimed to treat cardiovascular patients, increasing public awareness of the ACS symptoms and emergency aid should be considered as one of the priority areas.