The researchers at the Virginia Commonwealth University produced these findings based on an experiment involving more than 86,000 adults who suffered heart attacks while in the hospital.
Results of the observations revealed that those who suffered from cardiac arrests during a weekday had a 24-hour recovery rate of 35.4 percent, and a 19.8 percent chance of surviving until they were discharged from the hospital.
Meanwhile, those that occurred between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. had chances the rates of which were 28.9 percent, and 14.7 percent. Also, the survival chances of those who suffered from cardiac arrests during the weekend had only a 14.6 chance of surviving, reported the Telegraph.
According to study leader Mary Ann Peberdy of the VCU, the study's findings highlighted "the need to focus on night and weekend hospital-wide resuscitation...which can potentially improve patient safety and survival following cardiac arrest."
The NBC Medical Watch reported the scientists suspected the difference to have a basis on patients' biological differences during the day and during the night. Changes that occur during the weekends might be an added reason, they said.
A similar study was requested for British hospitals, by the Patients Association.
"It is up to individual trusts to ensure that they have enough of the appropriate staff, with the correct skills levels, serving patients at any one time," said Catherine Murphy of the association.
She added that financial problems during recent years have resulted to staff levels at night and weekends being "at the minimum rather than the most appropriate level."
The study was published in an issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
