Heart Emergencies Require Timely Care
11/9/2021
Pay attention to the warning signs and don’t delay getting the care you need.
NATCHEZ, Miss. – November 9, 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 (or any other urgent medical issue). 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.
“Merit Health Natchez has the area’s only American College of Cardiology accredited Chest Pain Center,” said Garett May, CEO of Merit Health Natchez. “This level of proven competency in treating patients with heart attack symptoms from their arrival through their diagnosis, treatment and post-discharge care, should instill confidence and bring peace of mind to our community.”
Dr. Christopher Nixon, medical director for emergency services at Merit Health Natchez, has seen firsthand what can happen when people delay seeking help for emergency situations. “Our team stands ready to help and the sooner we can see a patient to assess their condition and intervene, the better,” said Dr. Nixon. “We are trained to provide this care and the hospital has taken important precautions to enhance safety throughout 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 this can get in the way of timely treatment in an emergency. Merit Health Natchez continues to maintain a safe environment where patients can the care they need--whether it’s an emergency or routine, preventive 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. Universal masking remains in place.
“It’s important for members of our community 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,” added Shannon Russ, registered nurse, nurse director of the emergency department at Merit Health Natchez.
Russ is proud of her team for the work they have done in improving methods and strategies of caring for patients, including streamlining processes and adopting best practices in the care of patients experiencing the signs and symptoms of a heart attack. “Hospitals that achieve chest pain accreditation meet or exceed an array of stringent criteria,” said Russ. “Our doctors, nurses, clinicians and other administrative staff support the efforts leading to better patient education and improved patient outcomes.”
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 provider. Visit https://www.mymeritdoctor.com for a list of physicians in our area, or visit https://www.merithealthnatchez.com/find-a-doctor for a complete list of our medical staff.
Sources: CDC.gov/heartdisease/heart-attack.htm
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