| As COVID-19 cases continue to increase and strain emergency departments nationwide, a recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) suggests emergency room visits in April were down 42% compared to the same period last year, according to information provided by Capital Health.
Heart attacks and strokes have not stopped for COVID-19. To combat this alarming trend, the American Heart Association and Capital Health created a new public awareness campaign called “Don’t Die of Doubt” that urges people to call 9-1-1 and seek emergency medical care at the hospital if experiencing symptoms of a heart attack or a stroke. The campaign emphasizes that the best chance to survive an acute event, like a heart attack or stroke, is to call 9-1-1 and get an ambulance to the hospital where they’re fully prepared to treat you safely. Hospitals are still the safest place to be during a medical emergency, according to the statement. With news coverage of coronavirus cases still fueling fear of using emergency medical services, there is a critical need to reach everyone across the country with reassurance. People can receive safe care for heart attack or stroke symptoms, and other urgent medical needs, in hospitals. When it comes to surviving a heart attack or a stroke, seconds count, and so doubting symptoms, and thereby delaying care, may prove deadly, according to the statement. “Heart attack and stroke symptoms are always urgent. This campaign is geared toward minimizing hesitation to call 9-1-1 in an emergency,“ Gina Petrone Mumolie, DNP, MBA, RN NEA-BC, senior vice president of hospital administration for Capital Health, and board member for the American Heart Association South-Central New Jersey, said in the statement. “Emergency responders, as well as doctors and nurses at the hospital, know what to do even when things seem chaotic and emergency departments have made plans behind the scenes including screening for COVID-19 symptoms, treating coronavirus patients in separate areas and increased cleaning protocols to keep patients and workers safe.” For more about the campaign and community resources, visit www.heart.org/dontdieofdoubt. |
