Heart Attacks, Strokes and Other Emergencies Require Timely Care
3/17/2021
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (March 17, 2021) – We’ve changed habits and actions to protect our health during the pandemic, but one thing still remains the same – we need to take quick action with a possible heart attack or stroke. Life-threatening blockages and arrhythmias need timely detection and treatment to support the best possible outcome. Waiting to get help can increase the damage to heart muscle or brain tissue.
Lutheran Health Network hospitals have deep resources ready to support diagnosis and intervention in the event of heart attack or stroke. Emergency medicine physicians have access to advanced imaging and testing, multiple cath labs and support from an extensive team of physicians specializing in heart or brain damage. The network also delivers the expertise of a certified Comprehensive Stroke Center and a designated HeartCARE Center, as well as a Level 1 Heart chest pain system and accredited Chest Pain Centers for acute heart attack care.
“Our team stands ready to help and the sooner we can see a patient to assess their condition and intervene, the better,” said Andrew Offerle, M.D., emergency medicine physician and medical director of the emergency department at Dupont Hospital. “Our hospitals have great resources to help patients and have taken important precautions to enhance safety in light of the pandemic. Timely action and COVID-19 safety are top of mind at all times.”
Concern for safety during the pandemic has kept many people from seeking medical help and that can get in the way of timely treatment in an emergency. Lutheran Health Network actively works to maintain a safe place patients can get medical help whether for a medical emergency or routine care.
The hospitals’ precautions include screenings for everyone coming to our hospitals prior to entry, enhanced practices for infection prevention, restricted access to the facility and furniture arrangement to support social distancing and patient flow. Caregivers practice infection prevention including wearing personal protective equipment and washing hands before and after caring for each patient. Face masks are worn by everyone inside the hospital. Care for any COVID-19 positive patients is in a separate, designated unit.
“If seeking emergency care for myself or a family member, I would not let anything stop me from coming to the hospital,” Offerle added.
Calling 9-1-1 for an ambulance is the best action rather than trying to drive to the hospital yourself when you or someone you are with experiences heart attack or stroke symptoms. EMS crews are trained to care for patients experiencing heart attack and stroke, so you’ll get medical care sooner.
Signs of a possible heart attack can include chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, and/or pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, back, arm or shoulder. Women also may feel nauseous, light-headed or unusually tired.
Symptoms of a stroke can be remembered with the acronym F-A-S-T:
- Face drooping - Does one side of the face droop or is it numb?
- Arm weakness - Is one arm weak or numb?
- Speech difficulty - Is speech slurred, are they unable to speak, or are they hard to understand?
- Time to call 911 - If the person shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 911 and get them to the hospital immediately.
If you need more information about your personal risk factors for heart disease or stroke, schedule an appointment with your primary care provider. If you need a provider, call (833) 546-4968 or visit www.lutheranhealthphysicians.com/doctors-providers.
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