Every minute counts in a heart attack. But for fear of corona, many people are currently sitting out symptoms, according to the University Clinic in Würzburg. Deadly recklessness?
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An increasing number of people in Lower Franconia seem to be concerned about getting corona in the emergency room or at the doctor’s. Now internists from the University Clinic of Würzburg have their say. Never before have there been so many postponed heart attacks in the hospital. Her appeal is clear: “Those who hesitate to call the emergency doctor for fear of a corona infection are risking their lives.”
Complaints do not sit out
The internal emergency department at the university hospital, according to a press release from the clinic, has only been half as full since the beginning of the Corona crisis. What appears positive at first glance turns out to be deadly recklessness on closer inspection. Because: The emergencies have not decreased, people no longer go to the emergency room.
According to the observation in the university clinic, many of those affected are currently waiting to see whether the complaints go away. “The symptoms actually go away after six to twelve hours. Then the heart muscle tissue dies,” says Professor Dr. Stefan Frantz, director of the medical clinic and polyclinic I. He currently sees as many delayed disease courses as rarely before, subacute infarctions on at least every other day. “We see even younger people dying from complications such as arrhythmias or heart healing problems that could have been prevented if the vessels were reopened early.” The same also applies to strokes.
Photo: University Hospital
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Patients died because they were afraid of being infected with the corona virus in the clinic. “We take all of the safety precautions that can be taken at the university hospital. Every new patient, whether emergency or elective, i.e. with an appointment, is given a mouthguard and is tested to see if he is infected with COVID-19. If so, we can do it directly separate from the other patients. Our staff – from doctors to nurses to cleaning staff – also wear a mouthguard and are tested for Corona whenever necessary. At this point in time, we can treat you safely, “says Stefan Frantz.
Don’t waste time, call an emergency doctor!
Hence his appeal: “If you feel symptoms of the disease – like before Corona – go to the doctor! If you experience symptoms of a heart attack, call the emergency doctor immediately!” Symptoms include pressure or pain on the left side that can radiate into the left arm, sometimes into the right arm, back, or lower jaw. If the pain persists for more than several minutes, it could be a heart attack. Then there is no time to waste. If an occlusion of a coronary artery can be seen in the ECG, an intervention in the cardiac catheter laboratory is prepared as soon as possible to open the artery and the problem is resolved. Those who delay a heart attack risk heart failure or death.
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Wurzburg
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Melanie Jäger
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Corona virus
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Heart attack
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Infectious diseases
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Internists
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Hospitals and clinics
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Emergency doctors
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Nursing staff
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University hospitals
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doctors
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