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When You Really Need to Go to the ER

Symptoms you can t ignore even if you re worried about COVID-19

Getty Images In the past several weeks, examples have mounted of the tragic consequences of people delaying a trip to the ER because of fears of contracting COVID-19. A national released this week shows the extent of the worries of older patients in particular: Nearly one-third of people over 50 said they had delayed or avoided seeking medical care because of concerns about contracting COVID-19. Unfortunately, the end result of delaying medical care can be devastating. "The other day a man in his 50s came to the ER dying from a heart attack,” says Avir Mitra, an emergency medicine physician at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City and a spokesperson for ACEP. “He'd experienced symptoms for three or four days before coming to the ER. He pulled through, but we struggled to keep him alive.” Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. Some people, however, don't survive delays in treatment. “There's been an uptick in 911 calls from people who were ultimately found dead in their homes due to neglected symptoms,” says Benjamin Lebwohl, a gastroenterologist at NewYork-Presbyterian and Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City.

Packing Your ER Bag

In case you need to head to the hospital, doctors suggest you consider packing a bag with the following:
a list of your prescription medications, supplements and any allergies a list of your emergency contacts a portable medical order, also known as a Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) form, which tells your doctor what treatments you want during a medical emergency, and your cellphone a cellphone charger a change of clothes Medical experts stress that there's no need to fear the ER. Nearly all hospitals have separated coronavirus patients from those with other conditions. At many facilities, there are , intensive care units (ICUs), operating rooms and cardiac catheterization rooms for people with and without COVID-19, says Athena Poppas, chief of cardiology and professor of medicine at the Alpert Medical School of Brown University; director of the Lifespan Cardiovascular Institute of Rhode Island, Miriam Hospitals and Newport Hospitals; and president of the American College of Cardiology. Here are life-threatening symptoms doctors say should lead you to immediately call 911, now or anytime.

Chest discomfort nausea difficulty breathing and or lightheadedness

— in which blood flow to an artery in the heart is blocked or reduced, starving the organ of oxygen — can be subtle, and they often differ for men and women. Classic signs include heaviness, tightness or a squeezing sensation in the chest that may radiate to the neck, arms and jaw. The discomfort can be mistaken for indigestion. AARP Membership — $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. that strikes suddenly and worsens, you might have a serious condition that requires immediate treatment. The most common causes are appendicitis, diverticulitis, pancreatitis or cholecystitis (inflamed gallbladder). Initially, the pain may occur in a certain area, such as the lower left part of the abdomen in the case of diverticulitis. Over time, however, the discomfort can spread throughout the abdomen. If any of these conditions goes untreated, it can lead to perforation of the gastrointestinal tract. “Inflammation can lead to a tear in the lining of any of the organs affected by these conditions,” Lebwohl explains. “This can cause bacteria to spill into the abdominal cavity, leading to a life-threatening infection that can spread to other parts of the body.” If you're unsure about the severity of your pain, contact your physician for a telehealth appointment before heading to the ER. Entertainment $3 off popcorn and soft drink combos See more Entertainment offers >

Confusion low-grade fever and or an urge to urinate

You're probably familiar with the classic signs of a (UTI): a strong, frequent urge to urinate, a burning sensation during urination, blood in the urine, a low-grade fever and pain above the pubic bone. But when you get older, symptoms may be more vague. “People over 70 may not experience a frequent urge to urinate,” Mitra notes. “They may feel generally unwell and more confused.” Indeed, one of the most common causes of confusion in people 65 and over is a UTI, says Jennifer Stankus, an emergency physician at Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Washington. While this bacterial infection may seem benign, it can become serious. Left untreated, a UTI may progress from the bladder to the kidney to the bloodstream. It's a leading cause of death in hospitals, says Mitra. An elderly patient in Washington with UTI symptoms waited a few weeks to be treated. By the time she arrived at the hospital, the infection had spread to other parts of her body and she had developed sepsis. As a result, she had a long ICU stay, Stankus says. “Most older people have other health problems, such as diabetes or heart disease, and becoming septic can worsen those conditions,” she says.

Large amounts of blood in your stool

The sight of blood in your stool may be alarming, but it doesn't always signal an emergency. For instance, hemorrhoids can cause a small amount of bleeding, but they don't require a trip to the ER, says Lebwohl. A large amount of blood, on the other hand, calls for immediate evaluation, as it may signal a peptic ulcer (an open sore on the lining of your stomach or small intestine) or diverticulosis, a condition in which there are small sacs in the wall of the colon. The blood may be red or may appear as a black, tarry, liquid bowel movement. "Severe bleeding can cause a drop in blood count that can be dangerous for the heart,” Lebwohl cautions. “It can also cause dehydration and a drop in blood pressure.” Excessive bleeding can also increase your chances of needing a transfusion, says Mitra. Report your symptoms to your doctor via a before heading to the ER. More on health AARP Membership — $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. AARP VALUE & MEMBER BENEFITS See more Health & Wellness offers > See more Flights & Vacation Packages offers > See more Finances offers > See more Health & Wellness offers > SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS