ECG tests ‘improve survival chances for heart attack patients’

A new UK study has underlined the benefits of carrying out electrocardiogram (ECG) tests on heart attack patients during their transportation to hospital.

Conducted by the University of Surrey, the British Heart Foundation-funded research analysed data from almost half a million adults admitted with a heart attack to hospitals in England and Wales, noting whether they underwent an ECG test in the ambulance or not.

It was found that the number of patients who died within 30 days of hospital admission was significantly lower when an ECG test had been carried out by ambulance crews.

Moreover, it was revealed that one-third of patients admitted to hospital with a heart attack do not have the test in the ambulance, with women, the elderly and people from black and minority ethnic groups suffering particularly as a result of this trend.

Lead author Professor Tom Quinn from the University of Surrey said: "Hopefully our results will reinforce to paramedics the importance of carrying out an ECG … as well as flag up the types of patients who are currently less likely to receive this test."

The British Heart Foundation estimates that around 50,000 men and 32,000 women have a heart attack every year in England, with those over the age of 45 being particularly at risk.