Fear of corona: Significantly fewer hospitalizations for heart attacks
Recently, it has been reported that in some hospitals patient numbers are declining and there is reason to suspect that this may be related to the fear of coronavirus infection. This fear could also be a reason why there are significantly fewer hospitalizations for heart attacks.
A special analysis of DAK Health shows that 25 percent fewer people with a heart attack were hospitalized in March than in March 2018 and 2019. Doctors have already drawn attention to the fact that many people with heart attack symptoms are currently not coming to the hospital. The health insurance company warns against not dialing the emergency call for fear of contracting the coronavirus for heart attack symptoms.
Call the emergency doctor immediately
According to a message, the current analysis of hospital data from DAK Health shows that around 1,200 and 1,100 DAK insured persons with a heart attack were admitted to the hospital in March 2018 and 2019.
This year, however, there were only around 800 – a decrease of around 25 percent. “This big difference is particularly worrying against the background of the coronavirus pandemic,” said DAK board member Andreas Storm.
“There can always be deviations from the average. But this significant decline is very noticeable. “
DAK-Gesundheit advises everyone who notices heart attack symptoms to take them very seriously and to call the emergency doctor immediately. A heart attack is a life-threatening illness that needs to be treated as soon as possible.
The German Heart Foundation had also recently stressed in a press release not to hesitate in the event of suspected heart attack or other cardiac emergencies, but to immediately place emergency call 112. The experts pointed out that despite the corona pandemic, the clinics are prepared for cardiac and other emergencies.
Different heart attack symptoms in women and men
As DAK-Gesundheit writes, around 300,000 people in Germany suffer a heart attack every year. About 50,000 die from it. So that the infarction does not become life-threatening, symptoms should be recognized and action should be taken quickly.
Important to know: A heart attack can have different signs in women and men. This causes shortness of breath and stinging, burning, sometimes oppressive chest pain in men. Sometimes they also radiate into the arms, neck or stomach and there are numbness, pressure and tightness in the upper body.
According to the health insurance, women usually have other symptoms when they have a heart attack. You also have shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting, but the otherwise typical chest pain may not occur.
For this, women are more likely to experience pressure and tightness as well as pain in the upper abdomen. Other signs of sweating and paleness. Complaints such as severe back pain and leg pain are also possible. Unlike men, women can lose their circulation and lose consciousness. (ad)
Sources:
- DAK Health: Heart Attack: Significantly fewer hospital admissions in March, (accessed: April 26, 2020), DAK Health
- German Heart Foundation: Corona pandemic and cardiac emergencies: If you suspect a heart attack, don’t be afraid to call 112, (accessed: April 26, 2020), German Heart Foundation
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Important NOTE:
This article contains general information only and should not be used for self-diagnosis or treatment. He can not substitute a visit at the doctor.
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