Heart attack victims are more likely to die from their heart attack if they are taken to the emergency room over night or on the weekend, according to a new study.
The study found that patients that were suffering from a heart attack who also arrived during the hospital's “off hours” had a longer wait time and more time for the situation to worsen. According to Science World Report, heart disease is the leading cause of death in America.
The newest study was performed by researchers at the US Mayo Clinic who took a look at 48 previous studies. The mortality rate of those who arrived during the off hours was five times as high as those who arrived during the hospital’s regular hours.
According to Headlines and Global News, researchers found that there was a fifteen minute delay during the off hours as compared to regular hours, which, in turn increases the mortality rate 10 to 15 percent.
"Increased mortality during off-hours is associated with factors that arise after presentation at hospital," the authors said.
In future studies researchers also hope to take a look at the difference in care during on and off hours as well as the quality of doctors provided in off hours.
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