Don’t let COVID-19 fears prevent you from getting emergency medical care. That’s the message being shared by Starke Hospital and the American Heart Association. The heart association’s Be Certain in Uncertain Times campaign reminds residents not to hesitate to call 911 if they or someone they know experience heart attack or stroke symptoms.
Locally, Starke Hospital says it has precautions in place to protect patients and staff from COVID-19. All patients are screened for symptoms and risk factors. Anyone believed or confirmed to have COVID-19 are place in a separate area.
Hospital officials stress that “heart attack, stroke and cardiac arrest symptoms are always urgent.”
Starke Hospital has shared a list of symptoms to look out for:
HEART ATTACK SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
- Chest discomfort
- Discomfort in other areas of the upper body
- Shortness of breath
- Other possible signs include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
- Women’s most common heart attack symptom is chest pain. Some women are more likely to experience shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting and back or jaw pain.
REMEMBER TO ACT F.A .S .T. DURING STROKE
- 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.
CARDIAC ARREST
Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart malfunctions and stops beating unexpectedly. Within seconds, a person becomes unresponsive, is not breathing or is only gasping. Survival depends on getting immediate CPR.
