WIREDGOV

Women suffering heart attack symptoms delayed going to hospital for nearly three hours, according to the findings of a US study.

Researchers found men also delayed - but sought help sooner than women.

Our senior cardiac nurse, Ellen Mason, said: “A delay of nearly three hours from the onset of symptoms is far too long. Heart attacks are often fatal, and they can cause irreparable damage to the heart muscle in some cases meaning it won’t function properly afterwards.

“Although this is an American study, it adds to evidence from previous research showing a similar trend in women in the UK. It’s heartbreaking that women are still ignoring the symptoms and that relatives are needlessly being left without a mother, daughter, sister, aunt, grandmother or a friend.

“It is vital that women know – and act on – the symptoms of a heart attack, which is why we’re now launching our Angina Monologues campaign to get women thinking and talking much more about their heart health.”

More information:

• Read about our Angina Monologues campaign to find out why women need to look after their hearts too.
• Read the full findings in Archives of Internal Medicine.