Purpose: The prompt response to acute myocardial infarction (AMI) symptoms could reduce mortality and morbidity through use of time-dependent treatments. Long delays in seeking care exclude many from these options. Senior citizens are at “high risk” for long delay. The aim of this research is to explore a cost-effective means to reduce delay through rapid decision-making and action.

Methods: A prospective, community intervention has been used. The Leventhal Self-Regulatory Model provides the framework. Community senior center groups were randomly assigned as either a treatment or control group. Every group received the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute's program, Act in Time to Heart Attack Signs. The treatment group also received individual counseling and rehearsal of correct response to AMI symptoms. The control group did not receive the counseling or rehearsal. A sample of 128 has been obtained. Both groups completed a questionnaire on knowledge of AMI symptoms and appropriate actions before the programs. The control group completed a post-test after the program. The treatment group received the intervention after the program and then completed the post-test. Information about knowledge retention is being collected from both groups at six months via a telephone survey.

Results: Data analysis is in progress. It is hypothesized that the treatment group will have a significantly higher knowledge level of AMI symptoms and the appropriate response after the intervention, and at the six month follow-up. Descriptive statistics will be used to summarize the demographics, test responses, and the telephone survey results.  Two-sample T-tests will compare the groups' retention of knowledge and intention to act.

Implications: This is a pilot study, testing the feasibility and efficacy of this intervention. Results can guide the development of larger scale studies with other high-risk populations.