If you thought you were having a heart attack, would part of you worry about being embarrassed if it turned out your symptoms weren’t that serious after all? Would you dread the attention of an ambulance coming to your home? If so, you might be considered a “delayer”.
On the other hand, would you likely call 911 immediately because you believe that embarrassment passes quickly and without long-term damage, while a heart attack does not? If so, you’d be considered a “survivor”.
Check this chart to see which category you belong in – and then take whatever steps are required to move yourself immediately from delaying to surviving.
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Help During a Heart Attack: ‘Delayers’ vs ‘Survivors’Source: HeartHealthyWomen.org
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| Reason |
Delayers |
Survivors |
|
| Knowledge of symptoms | Don’t know that women’s heart symptoms could be different compared to men, or don’t think symptoms are severe enough to call an ambulance. | Know that a heart attack can produce a wide range of symptoms in women. Realize that symptoms can come on gradually, come and go, and may not be severe. Know that the symptoms of a second heart attack may be different from those of the first. | |
| Response to symptoms | Tell themselves that symptoms are probably not serious, or wait for them to go away on their own. May ask others what they think is causing the symptoms, or try treatments for other conditions. Only call for help after all other treatments fail. | Take symptoms seriously and let doctors sort out the cause. Realize that while many other conditions can cause similar symptoms, it is better to be safe than sorry. | |
| Perception of risk | Do not know their own heart risk, or don’t think a heart attack can happen to them. | Realize that heart attacks are common in women and can happen at any age, even without risk factors for heart disease; know their own heart risk. | |
| Concern with troubling others | Fear that their trip to the hospital will trouble or disturb others, including family members or doctors. Don’t want to call at night or on a weekend. | Realize that protecting yourself is the best way to continue to care for others. Know that the hospital staff and emergency responders are there to help, and that doctors would be happy to diagnose you with something less serious than a heart attack. | |
| Embarrassment | Do not want to deal with the attention of an ambulance coming; worried about being embarrassed if symptoms turn out not to be serious. | Realize that embarrassment will pass quickly and without long-term damage, but a heart attack will not. | |
| Action taken once decision is made | Call their family doctor, have someone drive them to the hospital, or drive themselves. | Call 911. Know that calling 911 is the fastest way to get treatment even before getting to hospital, and that calling your family doctor or driving yourself to the hospital only delays treatment. See also: “Knowing & Going: Act Fast When Heart Attack Symptoms Hit” | |
Tags: call 911 for heart attack, delaying vs surviving, heart attack, treatment seeking delay, women and heart disease, women's heart attacks
I was a “delayer” and it almost meant I didn’t have the chance to become a “survivor”.This is such critically important information for all people – thx for sharing this with us here.
Love your blog,
A new fan
Marika (CABG x2, December 2009)
I was a “delayer” and it almost cost me my life.
Now when I have a twinge I go to the ER immediately. I have been admitted on several occasions and have had stents put in. Don’t delay like I did. I’m a lucky survivor!
Thanks for that wise advice from a “lucky survivor”, Sandy!