Saskatoon doctor says many heart attack patients aren't getting help soon enough over COVID-19 fears
Heart attack patients in Saskatchewan are delaying getting medical help during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new study.
Cardiologist Dr. Haissam Haddad and his team began analyzing heart attack patents at Royal University Hospital in hopes of finding themes and patterns.
The researchers studied 2,300 patients between 2019-2021.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Haddad noticed a troubling trend of patients putting off medical intervention.
Before the pandemic, Haddad found patients made contact with doctors about 3.7 hours after the onset of heart attack symptoms.
But during the pandemic, heart attack patients didn’t get help until 4.1 hours after symptoms.
While the delay may seem minor, Haddad said each minute is critical for heart attack patients.
As a result of the delay, Haddad said he has seen the death rate increase and patients experience more complications.
“When the patient presents late, then there is more damage to the heart muscle and we expect the outcomes to be worse,” Haddad told CTV News.
Haddad believes the delay is fuelled by fears of burdening the health care system or catching COVID-19.
Glenn Hilton knows just how vital it is to get early help.
In February 2010, after riding his stationary bike, Hilton felt tightness in his chest and unusual sweating.
Hilton got his friend to drive him to the hospital where he learned he was in the middle of a heart attack.
“My artery was 80 per cent blocked. In half an hour, it could have been 100 per cent and I could have died right there,” Hilton said.
“So my advice is to go [to the hospital]. Don’t hold back,” he said.
It’s a message echoed by the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA).
Patrice Lindsay, the director of health systems at the Heart and Stroke Foundation, urges people to seek the help they need.
“The risk of COVID is low. The risk of your condition causing you a severe negative outcome is high,” Lindsay said.
Even during a pandemic, the SHA said it “encourages” patients to access the emergency departments.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
'Tactical evacuations' underway near Fort Nelson, B.C., as wildfires encroach
The BC Wildfire Service says 'tactical evacuations' began Friday near Fort Nelson, B.C., due to an out-of-control wildfire that has grown rapidly since it was discovered earlier in the afternoon.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.