Medically reviewed by
Dr. Alan Blaker
McLeod Cardiology Associates

Heart patients share some special concerns in this era of COVID-19.  We’ll try to address those concerns and offer actions you can take to lower your chance of coming down with coronavirus (COVID-19).

“Using data from China’s outbreak of COVID-19, there are a significant number of hospitalized patients have a cardiovascular or stroke related condition,” says McLeod Cardiologist Dr. Alan Blaker. “With the information we have available, it appears that people with coronary heart disease or hypertension (high blood pressure), especially the elderly are 1) more likely to come down with virus than the general population and 2) more likely to develop severe symptoms, complications or die from the viral illness.”

Dr. Blaker noted, “COVID-19’s mainly targets the lungs, which could affect a diseased heart that has to work harder to send oxygenated blood throughout the body. There is also evidence to suggest that people with plaque buildup in their arteries may also be at increased risk, because evidence suggests that viral illnesses may destabilize the plaque due to inflammatory processes, causing clots and a heart attack.”

ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE

• Maintain a 6-foot distance between you and others and totally avoid people who seem to be sick. Social distancing is absolutely necessary.
• Be sure that you are current on all your vaccinations, including the flu vaccine and pneumococcal vaccine.
• Make sure you have enough medications for a month. If you don’t, ask your physician or cardiologist and your pharmacist for refills.
• Make a list of friends, neighbors and relatives you might want to contact, if needed.
• Avoid touching public surfaces, such as doorknobs, rails and counters.
• Try not to touch your face.
• Maintain a 6-foot distance between you and others and totally avoid people who seem to be sick.
• Do these three things that can help strengthen your body’s immune system:
  • Eat a healthy diet by making sure that you have sufficient stocks of food and beverages.
  • Get plenty of sleep.
  • Manage your stress by taking a break from all news and social media. Maybe sit outside (maintaining social distance) and enjoy some fresh air.

It is important that heart patients do as much as they can to protect themselves, not to cause more anxiety, but to emphasize that anyone who has heart disease may have a higher risk for complications from COVID-19.

For more information go to Coronavirus: What You Need to Know.

Find a Cardiologist near you.

Sources include: McLeod Health, American Heart Association, Journal of Diagnostic and Interventional Cardiology, American College of Cardiology