Data shows stroke, heart attack, MVC calls have decreased during pandemic

The chief medical officer of data company ESO said stroke and heart attack patients may be transporting themselves or not seeking treatment.

By Laura French

AUSTIN, Texas — Emergency calls related to stroke, heart attack and motor vehicle crashes have decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a data company that serves EMS agencies, fire departments and hospitals. 

ESO reported Monday that data collected from more than 2,600 EMS agencies in the United States indicated that, from January to mid-March of this year, 911 calls for stroke decreased by 20%, heart attack calls decreased by 25% and MVC calls were down 45%. Cardiac arrest calls saw no change in frequency, according to ESO. 

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