Poorest 'slow to seek medical help'

Jun 22 2012

People in deprived areas are more likely to suffer heart attacks, yet are slower to call for medical help, research has revealed.

An Audit Scotland report on cardiology services said those from poorer communities were also less likely to reach hospital alive and more likely to die during a heart attack.

Meanwhile, a survey conducted by Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland showed that people in less-deprived areas were more than twice as likely to recognise symptoms of cardiovascular problems, particularly of a heart attack, and to seek help more quickly - with three out of four dialling 999 within 30 minutes, compared to less than half in more deprived areas.

The survey of 100 patients also found that males were more than twice as likely as females to seek help for the first time following an incident of sudden acute pain.

The findings of both the report and the survey are being considered as part of Holyrood's Public Audit Committee's inquiry into cardiology services.

Committee members are investigating the barriers which prevent those from deprived areas and from certain ethnic minority communities from being diagnosed early and treated quickly by the NHS.

The committee is due to meet in Glasgow as part of the inquiry, with a visit to Drumchapel in the morning to hear from the Keep Well programme run by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, and from the South Asian Anticipatory Care Pilot, followed by a full meeting at Glasgow City Chambers.