Hospital gets set for rise in cardiac issues from stress
Regional Medical Center in San Jose put extra staff on call Tuesday to handle what doctors believe could be a 15% increase in patients experiencing an array of cardiac issues caused by the stress of election day.
“These kind of stresses cause a welldocumented increase in cardiovascular events,” said Dr. Paul Silka, director of the emergency room at Regional Medical Center of San Jose.
The 45bed emergency room usually sees 185 patients a day. Because of the election, Silka expects that to go up to 210 patients or so.
Not all of them will have heart attacks because of the election. Some could have heart flutters, heart palpitations or heart failure instead. Strokes are also a possibility.
“This election may precipitate more than the usual and customary reaction of highstress events,” Silka said.
Medical research, Silka said, has proven that events such as elections, natural disasters and
even major sporting events such as the Super Bowl cause an increase in cardiac patients.
Silka said there will an extra doctor, two extra nurses and three other extra staff members on duty at the Regional Medical Center emergency room while the ballots are being counted.
In a memo to staff about the “high stress environment caused by the election,” hospital administrators told all hands to stand back and stand by.
“We know ( the stress) can precipitate acute illness, particularly cardiovascular events,” the memo said. “We have also prepared for increased trauma in the event that civil unrest is triggered.”
Other strategies work too, Silka advised stressedout voters.
“Take a deep breath,” the doc said. “Stay focused. Don’t watch television.”
“These kind of stresses cause a welldocumented increase in cardiovascular events.” Dr. Paul Silka, director of the emergency room at Regional Medical Center of San Jose