LETTER: Don’t avoid heart and stroke first aid because of virus fear

To Ozaukee Press:
As hospitals, communities and governments worldwide struggle to understand the Covid-19 pandemic, data from the American Heart Association shows that
911 calls for heart attacks and strokes have plummeted by 25% and 35% respectively since March

I urge everyone to call 911 at the first sign of a stroke or heart attack; every second matters. EMS and hospitals have the equipment and training needed to treat and monitor a patient’s condition. Calling 911 is the fastest way to ensure that you get the help that you need during a neurovascular or cardiovascular emergency.

 I understand that people in the community may have concerns about Covid-19, but this shouldn’t cause you to hesitate to call 911 in an emergency.

Receiving the best care as soon as possible will greatly improve your chances of survival and recovery against our state’s number one killer, heart disease, and our state’s number one cause of preventable disability, stroke.

To find the most up-to-date information, regarding Covid-19, and to learn the signs and symptoms of a stroke or heart attack, please visit www.heart.org.

Paul Vilar
Milwaukee
The letter writer is the stroke program director for Advocate Aurora Health.