In 1974, President Richard Nixon delayed a visit to the hospital for phlebitis (blood clots in his leg) because he had nosocomephobia, an exaggerated fear of hospitals. He worried that if he went in, he'd never come out alive.

It's a pretty common phobia, especially now that the global pandemic has turned hospitals in many locations into M*A*S*H units, filling them to capacity with potentially infected patients.

This reluctance is especially evident among people suffering from life-threatening cardiovascular conditions. A recent Gallup poll found that 86% of people with heart disease said they would be either "very concerned" or "moderately concerned" about contracting the virus from a hospital visit.

An informal Twitter poll by an online community of cardiologists found almost half reported a 40% to 60% reduction in admissions for heart attacks; 20% reported greater than a 60% reduction.

That’s scary because it means that people are not getting early the intervention that could save their lives.

If you have symptoms that could signal a heart attack — tightness and pain in the chest, lightheadedness, clammy skin, sweating, heartburn or (often in women) discomfort in the neck, jaw, shoulder, upper back or abdomen, shortness of breath, or nausea -- call 911 right away.

Paramedics and emergency room staff are eager and prepared to help you with a cardiovascular emergency. And your risk of COVID-19 infection in the ER is not great if recommended precautions (protective gear, distance between patients, no visitors, etc.) are in place.