Heart Emergencies Require Timely Care
3/1/2021
Pay attention to the warning signs and don’t let the pandemic stop you
Kirksville, MO, March 1, 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.
Northeast Regional Medical Center has deep resources ready to support diagnosis and intervention in the event of heart attack or stroke. We provide the region's only fully accredited Chest Pain Center which features a newly renovated cardiac catheterization laboratory. Larry Handlin, D.O., is here for you at Northeast Regional Heart Center. He offers a wide range of diagnostic services and treatments for General Cardiology, Heart Attack, Congestive Heart Failure, Atrial Fibrillation, Pacemaker/ICD Placement and Coronary Stent Placement. He can also help you understand your risk factors and take steps to minimize them.
“The sooner we can see a patient to assess their condition and intervene, the better,” said Dr. Larry Handlin, cardiologist. “Many outcomes may have ended differently if the patient had come in for care earlier. While it is understandable that people would be nervous about coming to a hospital during a pandemic, there are some illnesses that can be life-threatening if care is delayed. The hospital is here to help patients no matter their reason for coming to see us and has 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. Northeast Regional Medical Center 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.
Dr. Erin Grgurich, D.O., emergency room medical director, reminds us: “It’s important for members of our community to put their health first and to feel comfortable getting the care they need. We provide care to patients 24/7 for everything from cuts and broken bones to life-threatening conditions such as heart attack or stroke. Northeast Regional Medical Center is Northeast Missouri’s only Level III Trauma Center and we are also a Level III Stroke Center as well as a Level III Stemi and Certified Chest Pain Center. We are here when you need us.”
Calling 911 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 (660) 785-1991 to be connected with Northeast Regional Heart Center.
Sources: CDC.gov/heartdisease/heart-attack.htm
Back