You At Your Best

SpeCIAL tO YOu At YOur beSt Sometimes we rely on our sixth sense, our intuition, to let us know when we are in danger. But that sense can get distorted in times like these, during a pandemic, when even going to the grocery store seems a little frightening. As COVID-19 cases continue to rise, many people say they fear of calling 9-1-1 or going to the hospital if experiencing a medical emergency like a heart attack or stroke. Data from a survey conducted online by The Harris Poll on behalf of the American Heart Association found that many people are likely to stay home if experiencing medical emergencies to avoid the risk of contracting COVID-19 at the hospital. "Over the course of the pandemic, we have seen a paucity of what we consider our 'regular' patients, those who come in with chest pain, stroke, or uncontrolled diabetes for example, because people are scared," says Northwest Health cardiologist Dr. Maria Baldasare. New data from the Harris Poll survey found that 40% of whites, 55% of Hispanics and 45% of Black Americans would be afraid to go to the hospital if they thought they were having a heart attack or stroke because they might get infected with COVID-19. Others may fear burdening already overburdened health care workers. Many of them say they would rather stay home than risk getting infected at the hospital. But that fear is misguided. Delaying a 9-1-1 call in case of a heart attack, stroke or other medical emergency can be dangerous and even deadly. "People need to know that you can trust our hospitals and our medical offices because we are doing everything to keep you safe when you visit us," she says. While it seems like our life has been paused due to the pandemic, chronic medical conditions are still ongoing and need to be addressed." Heart attacks and stroke haven't stopped during to the pandemic. The American Heart Association wants to reminds Americans that the hospital remains the safest place to be if experiencing symptoms of a heart attack or a stroke. For more information, visit www.heart.org/dontdieofdoubt. Don't ignore symptoms of heart attack or stroke during COVID-19 The future's so bright… SpeCIAL tO YOu At YOur beSt A certain degree of hearing loss can be a normal part of the aging process. However, people who take steps to protect their hearing long before Father Time takes his toll can prevent the extreme hearing loss suffered by millions of seniors across the globe. John's Hopkins Medicine states that approximately 15 percent of adults aged 18 years and older report some difficulty hearing and up to 39 percent of adults in their sixties have hearing problems. Lost hearing cannot be restored, though hearing aids and other devices can help people with hearing loss hear better. Hearing aids are not always an accessory people look forward to needing, so it's good to know that a few simple strategies can protect people's hearing over the long haul. 5 ways to protect against Hearing loSS 6 | YOu At YOur beSt | nWADg.COm/YOuAtYOurbeSt September - COme tO YOur SenSeS | SunDAY, AuguSt 30, 2020

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