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                      Heart Emergencies Require Timely Care

                      4/2/2021

                      Pay attention to the warning signs and don’t let the pandemic stop you.

                      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, or stroke, 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.

                      Merit Health has resources ready to support diagnosis and intervention in the event of heart attack or stroke through chest pain accreditations, cardiac catheterization labs, cardiology and cardiovascular specialists on the medical staffs, accreditations/certifications, as well as diagnosis and treatment of stroke.

                      “Our team is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and the sooner we can see a patient to assess their condition and intervene, the better,” said Arthur Wood, M.D., one of Merit Health’s emergency medical directors. “Our hospitals have great resources to help patients and take 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. Merit Health is actively working to maintain a safe place patients can get medical help whether for a medical emergency or routine care.

                      The hospitals’ precautions include 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. Care for any COVID-19 positive patients is in a separate, designated unit.

                      Dr. Wood adds, “It’s important for people to put their health first and to feel comfortable getting the care they need. We encourage our patients to always seek immediate emergency medical care for serious conditions such as heart attack or stroke to support the best possible outcome.”

                      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 9-1-1 - If the person shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get them to the hospital immediately.

                      If you need more information on your personal risk factors for heart disease, schedule an appointment with your primary care doctor, or call 844-MSMERIT to be connected with one of Merit Health’s qualified cardiologists.

                      Sources: CDC.gov/heartdisease/heart-attack.htm

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                      Merit Health Central

                      • 1850 Chadwick Dr
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                      • P: (601) 376-1000

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