Since the start of COVID-19, Alberta has seen a continuing decrease in the number of emergency hospital visits for heart attack and stroke likely due to avoidance of going to seek care during the pandemic.

Heart attacks and strokes are a serious medical emergency, and delaying treatment can have serious consequences.

Evidence shows that treating heart attacks quickly will reduce heart damage, and even a 25 minute delay in treatment of strokes can leave patients with severe disability or even death.

Don’t wait, call 9-1-1 if you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms, or visit your nearest hospital emergency room. Do not drive yourself to a hospital.

Heart attacks and strokes are time-dependent conditions where effective, life-saving treatments are regularly used, but they need to be applied very shortly after symptoms appear.