Perceived myths and misconceptions about myocardial infarction among adults in Saudi Arabia

Dalal M. Alabdulmohsen; Nasser E. Alotaibi; Layan S. Alshmrani; Donia J. Alghamdi; Khairiah I. Nehari; Bushra I. Al-Juraywi; Rehab F. Almaazabi; Saja M. Alghamdi; Shahad D. Aljahdali; Almas S. Alsolami; Saleh A. Alkhalifah

doi:10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20243788

Authors

Dalal M. Alabdulmohsen Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, King Faisal University, Alahsa, Saudi Arabia https://orcid.org/0009-0003-4721-2481
Nasser E. Alotaibi Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia
Layan S. Alshmrani Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
Donia J. Alghamdi Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
Khairiah I. Nehari Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
Bushra I. Al-Juraywi Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, King Faisal University, Alahsa, Saudi Arabia
Rehab F. Almaazabi Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
Saja M. Alghamdi Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Al Baha University, Al Baha, Saudi Arabia
Shahad D. Aljahdali Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
Almas S. Alsolami Department of Echo-Cardiovascular Technology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Saleh A. Alkhalifah Department Internal Medicine, Almoosa Specialist Hospital, Alahsa, Saudi Arabia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20243788

Keywords:

Health myths, Knowledge, Myocardial infarction, Heart attack, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Myocardial infarction (MI), a widespread public health issue, is causing high mortality rates in Saudi Arabia. Good awareness about MI can improve outcomes for patients, and conversely, misconceptions can lead to delay in seeking treatment and affect patients’ compliance to preventive measures. Therefore, this study aims to assess the perception and beliefs of people in Saudi Arabia regarding myths about this issue.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey using an online questionnaire was done in Saudi Arabia from October to November 2024 and included adults from both genders and various age groups. The questionnaire contained 10 common myths about MI, and a myth score of 10 points was established as 1 point given for each myth the participants agreed with.

Results: The total number of participants was 951. About 74% were familiar with the term “heart attack,” and 70% acquired knowledge from the internet. The average myth score was 2.13±1.77 out of 10 total points. Approximately 25% of our study participants agreed with only one of the provided false statements, while less than 1% agreed with all ten.

Conclusions: Overall, the study showed that most participants had good recognition of myths about myocardial infarction. There were links between myths belief and demographic factors like age and gender, in addition to health conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. Men and people with histories of strokes had the lowest levels of awareness compared to others. Correcting misconceptions is crucial to improve outcomes for patients at risk of MI.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

References

Ojha N, Dhamoon AS. Myocardial Infarction. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. 2023.

Olvera Lopez E, Ballard BD, Jan A. Cardiovascular Disease. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. 2023.

Alsaab SM, Almutairi AM, Alsaadi GK, Altokhais ZA, Alabdulqader SH, Alnofal WY, et al. Awareness of Myocardial Infarction Symptoms and Risk Factors in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study. Cureus. 2023;15(12):e50092.

Alqahtani BA, Alenazi AM. A national perspective on cardiovascular diseases in Saudi Arabia. BMC Cardiovasc Disord. 2024;24(1):184.

Basham K, Aldubaikhi A, Sulaiman I, Alhaider A, Alrasheed A, Bahanan F, et al. Public awareness of early symptoms of acute myocardial infarction among Saudi population. J Fam Med Prim Care. 2021;10(10):3785-90.

Beasant B, Lee G, Vaughan V, Lotfaliany M, Hosking S. Health literacy and cardiovascular disease prevention: a systematic scoping review protocol. BMJ Open. 2022;12(6):e054977.

Alkalash SH, Alfaqih AH, Alsohabi ER, Al-Faqih AH, Ahmed AA, Almahmudi KH, et al. Public Knowledge and Attitude Regarding Symptoms of Acute Coronary Syndrome and Its Related Risk Factors in Western Region, Saudi Arabia. Cureus. 2024;16(6):e63001.

Barry AR, Wang EH, Chua D, Zhou L, Hong KM, Safari A, et al. Patients’ Beliefs About Their Cardiovascular Medications After Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Prospective Observational Study. CJC Open. 2023;5(10):745-53.

Birnbach B, Höpner J, Mikolajczyk R. Cardiac symptom attribution and knowledge of the symptoms of acute myocardial infarction: a systematic review. BMC Cardiovasc Disord. 2020;20:1-2.

Al-Khlaiwi T, Alshammari H, Habib SS, Alobaid R, Alrumaih L, Almojel A, et al. High prevalence of lack of knowledge and unhealthy lifestyle practices regarding premature coronary artery disease and its risk factors among the Saudi population. BMC Public Health. 2023;23(1):908.

Svenningsen A, Söderström S, Bucher Sandbakk S, Gullestad L, Bønaa KH, Wisløff U, et al. Mind the intention-behavior gap: a qualitative study of post-myocardial infarction patients’ beliefs and experiences with long-term supervised and self-monitored physical exercise. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehab. 2024;16(1):204.

Saudi Census. Population by Region, Nationality and Gender. 2022. Available at: https://portal.saudi census.sa/portal/public/1/15/45?type=DASHBOARD. Accessed on 29 May 2024.

Vangala N. Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center. Myths About Heart Attacks. 2019. Available at: https://www.pvhmc.org/blog/2019/february/myths-about-heart-attacks/. Accessed on 29 May 2024.

Kau A. Fortis Healthcare. Heart Attack: Myths and Facts. 2023. Available at: https://www.fortis healthcare.com/blogs/heart-attack-myths-and-facts. Accessed on 29 May 2024.

Issa LF, Alharthi Y, Alsuqair R, Althagafi B, Alghamdi E, Althobity T, et al. Coronary artery disease risk factors in Saudi Arabia: Knowledge, awareness and prevalence assessment. Med Sci. 2022;26.

Kandula NR, Tirodkar MA, Lauderdale DS, Khurana NR, Makoul G, Baker DW. Knowledge gaps and misconceptions about coronary heart disease among US South Asians. Am J Prev Med. 2010;38(4):439-42.

Tunstall-Pedoe H, Vanuzzo D, Hobbs M, Mähönen M, Cepaitis Z, Kuulasmaa K, et al. Estimation of contribution of changes in coronary care to improving survival, event rates, and coronary heart disease mortality across the WHO MONICA Project populations. The Lancet. 2000;355(9205):688-700.