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Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge of young and middle-aged adults in Quetta regarding heart attacks, including symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment options.
Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study employed a questionnaire-based approach, excluding medical students and professionals. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 25, incorporating both descriptive and inferential statistical methods.
Results: A total of 385 participants (238 males, 147 females) were included in the analysis, focusing on gender-based differences in knowledge about heart attack symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. Females demonstrated slightly higher overall knowledge scores (13.29 ± 5.696) compared to males (11.48 ± 5.739), with significant differences observed in knowledge of symptoms (p = 0.001) and diagnosis/treatment (p = 0.032). Both genders correctly identified chest pain as the most common symptom (66.2%), but recognition of other symptoms, such as nausea (39.7%) and arm numbness (31.4%), was less widespread. Diagnostic tests like ECG (74.3%) and treatments such as angioplasty (59.5%) were widely recognized, though misconceptions persisted, with 61.8% of females erroneously believing in home remedies for treatment. Complications resulting from delayed treatment, including cardiac arrest (56.6%) and death (86.5%), were widely acknowledged.
Conclusion: This study highlights significant gaps in the public’s knowledge regarding heart attacks, with moderate understanding of risk factors but limited awareness of treatment modalities. While recognition of chest pain as a symptom is relatively good, there is a critical need to increase awareness of other symptoms and treatment options. Targeted educational interventions are essential to enhance public knowledge, improve recognition of diverse heart attack symptoms, and promote timely medical intervention, ultimately leading to better health outcomes.