THE availability of heart specialists in country South Australia will be examined during a coronial inquest that started today.

Deputy State Coroner Anthony Schapel has opened an inquest into the deaths of four SA country men from heart attacks between 2004 and 2006.

Mr Schapel will hear evidence about the deaths of:

Brian Terrance Dalling, 55, who died at Warooka on Yorke Peninsula on December 30, 2004;

Jack William Salotti, 51, who died at Keith on November 21, 2005;

Richard John Grzywacz, 42, who died at Port Lincoln on March 20, 2006;

Brian Leslie Sobey, 76, who died at Wallaroo on July 5, 2006.

Counsel Assisting the Coroner, Dr Rachael Gray, said all four men had died within a short time of going to their local General Practitioners with chest pains.

Dr Gray said the inquest would look into the standard of care available to rural and regional South Australians who go to their GPs for help.

The inquest will also examine available options for testing of potential heart problems as well as protocols for treatment by GPs.

The inquest is expected to run for more than a week.

Source: http://www.news.com.au