Navigating critical time: a qualitative exploration of the experiences of patients and companions in myocardial infarction management

BACKGROUND: Myocardial infarction (MI) is an emergency situation, perceived as a unique experience by both the patient and their companion. This study aims to explore the experiences of patients and their companions throughout all stages of myocardial infarction management. METHOD: A descriptive qualitative design was employed in this study. Nineteen participants, including 13 patients with a confirmed MI diagnosis and 6 companions, were selected through purposive sampling from a hospital in northeastern Iran. In-person, semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions were conducted, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using the conventional qualitative content analysis approach. RESULTS: The study revealed key categories in participants' experiences before and after their MI. These included "overlooking health risks" due to neglect and misunderstanding of health, and "harmful hesitation" characterized by delays in seeking medical help, often due to denial and self-treatment. Participants also delayed in "understanding the definitive risk", which led to worsened symptoms. "Missed golden time due to system-level delays" highlighted diagnostic and treatment delays, while a greater "realization of the importance of adherence" to a healthy lifestyle was reported post-MI. The role of companions was also pivotal in influencing patient management and treatment. CONCLUSION: Delays in recognizing MI symptoms were influenced by lack of health awareness, hesitation, and healthcare inefficiencies, leading to worsened outcomes. Improving public health education, awareness of MI symptoms, and healthcare responsiveness can reduce these delays. Additionally, the support of companions plays a critical role in ensuring timely medical intervention.