Patient delay before treatment of myocardial infarction.

Fifty patients in hospital with a definite recent myocardial infarction were interviewed, particular attention being paid to the delay before medical attention was sought. No evidence was found to associate delay with age, sex, or social class. The delay was longer outside normal working hours, and in some patients this seemed to be due to inhibition from disturbing their general practitioner. It is suggested that doctors should ensure that patients at high risk of sustaining a myocardial infarction should not be inhibited from seeking attention quickly if the need arises.