Heart Attack Deaths Are Up During The Pandemic

We've talked repeatedly about the number of people getting COVID-19 and dying from COVID-19, more than six months into the pandemic. In Ohio, there were 87 deaths reported in the 24 hour period, and more than 1,000 new cases added to the total, which now tops 139,000 statewide.

But one of the unintended consequences from people "staying at home" to stay safe, has been that people are avoiding hospitals, even when experiencing an emergency such as chest pain or shortness of breath... the tell tale signs of a heart attack. 

Normally, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. But heart attack cases in U-S emergency rooms have fallen by 50% during the pandemic. 

However, some hospitals have found the death rate from heart attack during the pandemic has doubled. 

An August article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association reported that people are more than twice as likely to die from a heart attack during the pandemic, because they aren't going to the hospital after experiencing symptoms of heart trouble. 

The American Heart Association has had to start a campaign called "Don't Die of Doubt" - that assures people hospitals are still the safest place for you to be when medical emergencies strike.

Dr. William Lewis, Chief of Cardiology at MetroHealth joined us to talk about the decrease in stress testing, the dangers of at-home heart issues, and the importance of heart health during this very stressful time.

Then, we discuss the newly formed Arab American Bar Association of Ohio that will shine a spotlight on the growing number of Arab American attorneys in the state. 

Resources

MetroHealth's Heart & Vascular Center

Arab American Bar Association of Ohio Event: Busting the Myths

September 29, 2020
2 p.m.-3 p.m. (Eastern)

- Dr. William Lewis, MD, Chief of Cardiology, MetroHealth

-Majeed Makhlouf, Vice President, Arab American Bar Association of Ohio & Partner, Berns, Ockner & Greenberger, LLC in Beachwood