Garland Fire Department and the American Heart Association are telling individuals “Don’t Die of Doubt.”
In January 2015, the American Heart Association launched “Don’t Die of Doubt.” a community awareness media campaign in North Texas, thanks to continued support of the W.W. Caruth, Jr. Foundation at Communities Foundation of Texas.
This comprehensive initiative focuses on building trust in the 911 system and why you should not hesitate to call 911 if you think you might be having a heart attack.
So why aren’t people calling 911? Let’s debunk a few common myths about calling 911.
- “I don’t know if my symptoms are serious enough to warrant a call to 911. I don’t want to waste their time or worse, get in trouble for a false alarm.”
Knowing the symptoms of a heart attack is a great place to start: Chest discomfort (pressure, squeezing, fullness, pain), jaw, neck, back or arm pain, shortness of breath, nausea and cold sweats are all common symptoms of a heart attack. The emergency medical team is here to help you. Cardiovascular diseases are the number one killer of all Americans, so don’t worry about being embarrassed, worry about staying alive. Make the call.
- “What’s the point of calling an ambulance, it’s not like EMTs are doctors.”
Don’t underestimate the skills and abilities of paramedics. Paramedics are not just taxi-drivers. Did you know that a paramedic will have over 1000 hours of clinical and coursework training on Advanced Life Support including expertise in conducting CPR and using a defibrillator when needed to revive a patient’s heart? They are trained medical professionals and are here to save lives. Don’t be afraid to use them! Trust 911.
- “I live just a couple of blocks from the hospital, it’s faster if I drive myself there.”
Calling 911 is the best and fastest way to ensure quick treatment. Care begins the moment you dial 911 and continues seamlessly when the ambulance arrives. If you are having a heart attack, EMS will transmit your data to the hospital, which means time saved upon arrival and faster treatment. EMS will also determine the closest, most appropriate hospital for your care and that may not be the hospital down the street. Your heart will thank you. Don’t die of doubt.
- “It’s way too expensive to call 911 and have an ambulance come, I could never afford it and I’m pretty sure my insurance won’t cover it.”
Can you really put a price tag on what your life is worth? When it comes to a heart attack, every minute matters – so every minute delayed is a delay in treatment time, deterioration of heart muscle and the risk for a potentially fatal outcome. The ambulance is not an expensive taxi ride. Don’t let the potential costs deter you from taking action that can save your life. Minutes matter.
It’s critically important to remember that time is muscle, so every minute matters in a cardiac event. Care begins the moment you dial 911, and continues from ambulance arrival to hospital delivery and every moment in between.
Make the Call. Trust 911. Don’t Die Of Doubt.
Learn more and hear from heart attack survivors at www.dontdieofdoubt.com.