AHS says people continue to avoid care at detrimental risk to their well being

Alberta Health Services is once again alluding to a disturbing trend of people not seeking medical attention early enough during the pandemic.

AHS is urging Albertans to seek medical attention if they need care.

There has been a decline this winter in hospital admissions for stroke and heart attack. This trend was first noticed in March and April of 2020, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Albertans are urged to “listen to their bodies” and if something feels off, to book an appointment to see their family doctor.

Delaying treatment for a heart attack, stroke and other conditions can also have serious consequences. These are time-dependent conditions where effective, life-saving treatments need to be applied shortly after symptoms begin.

“Without treatment, you may end up dead — or seriously disabled,” said cardiologist Dr. Michelle Graham in a press release. “You may survive that heart attack while staying at home, but will be at much higher risk of developing heart failure, which has a worse prognosis than many cancers.”

There is research that shows the benefit of early treatment for heart attacks can limit or even prevent heart damage. When it comes to strokes, a delay in seeking treatment, even 25 minutes, can result in 20 per cent of stroke patients having a severe disability or even dying.

Some Albertans appear to delay seeking medical attention because of concern for COVID-19, says an AHS statement. Others find the protective measures that are in place also a barrier to seeking care.

“However, throughout the pandemic, Alberta’s health system has been open to patients to diagnose and manage illness and disease,” states a press release. “AHS facilities are safe places to seek care.”

Family doctors are available to address health concerns. Primary care offices screen patients for COVID-19 and take precautions to ensure they too can provide safe treatment for their patients, says the AHS statement.