A new study from the University of Massachusetts found that people with diabetes who are having a heart attack wait longer than people without diabetes before they seek hospital care. The researchers did not speculate about the reasons for the delay.

Analyzing data for nearly 4,000 people in a Massachusetts metropolitan area over a 7-year period, the study determined that about 44% of all patients having a heart attack went to the hospital less than 2 hours after experiencing acute symptoms. However, older patients and those with diabetes or angina delayed more than 2 hours. This is particularly significant in light of new treatments for heart attack that are most beneficial when undertaken soon after the attack.

It's therefore important to call 911 or get to a hospital ER quickly, if you experience the symptoms of heart attack:

• Radiating arm and shoulder pain
• Chest pain
• Nausea/vomiting
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness
• Collapse

Doctors urge people who have traditional heart attack symptoms and also those who experience profuse sweating, vomiting, or extreme shortness of breath to chew on an aspirin and get to the hospital immediately.

Sources:

• Goldberg RJ, Yarzebski J, Lessard D, Gore JM. Decade-long trends and factors associated with time to hospital presentation in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Arch Intern Med, 2000;160:3217-3223. (Abs.)
• Heart attack: expect the unexpected. Heart Watch, June 2000.