Heart Emergencies Require Timely Care
2/14/2021
Pay attention to the warning signs and don’t let the pandemic stop you
NAPLES, FL, February 14, 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.
Physicians Regional Healthcare System has deep resources ready to support diagnosis and intervention in the event of heart attack or stroke. Both hospital campuses are comprehensive cardiac and stroke centers enabling us to treat the most complex heart attack and stroke cases. Our cardiac care teams provide complete heart care services for patients throughout the area. We offer a wide range of services and treatments, from lifesaving procedures to education on a heart healthy lifestyle. Treatment is available for conditions ranging from heart failure to heart attack and vascular disease and beyond.
Our stroke team is part of an elite group of professionals that provide advanced care to patients presenting with severe types of strokes. We offer a higher level of treatment and specialized care in the spectrum of diagnostic studies, treatments, procedures, prevention, and rehabilitation resources.
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. Physicians Regional Healthcare System is actively working to maintain a safe place patients can get medical help whether for a medical emergency or routine care.
The hospital’s 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.
Physicians Regional Healthcare System encourages patients to not put off medical care and seek help if needed. 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 on your personal risk factors for heart disease, schedule an appointment with your primary care doctor, or call (239_ 348-4221 to schedule an appointment with one of our qualified cardiologists.
Sources: CDC.gov/heartdisease/heart-attack.htm
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