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Blog

COVID-19 and Cardiac Patients

Posted on December 16, 2020 by CDL Nuclear

COVID-19 and Cardiac Patients

Why Is COVID-19 a Threat to Cardiac Patients? 

Researchers are exploring the current global pandemic and its effects while working tirelessly to find out more. It has been established that those already suffering from medical complications such as cardiac disease are at an increased risk for severe illness from the COVID-19 virus.  An estimated 48 percent of all adults in the United States have some form of cardiovascular disease; such a high number of affected people is an alarming sign concerning COVID-19 implications. 

COVID-19 and Cardiac Patients

COVID-19 patients with comorbidities were more likely to have significant symptoms requiring hospitalization.  Still, the highest mortality rate among all COVID patients was experienced in patients with pre-existing cardiovascular diseases.  In some cases, Sars-CoV-2 causes acute heart failure, heart muscle inflammation, shock, clotting issues, and medications to treat the virus can compound heart problems with arrhythmias.  Many COVID-19 survivors experience some form of heart damage, even though they did not have underlying heart failure and were not ill enough to be hospitalized, an increasing number of studies indicate.

Added Threats

Initially thought to be an infection causing disease of the lungs, inflammation of the vascular system and heart injury tend to be typical characteristics of this specific virus. The weakened lungs can no longer function properly, and the heart has to endure additional stress to pump extra oxygenated blood around the body to compensate for low oxygenation.  This increased strain on the heart can be very dangerous for people suffering from cardiac diseases, which further weakens the heart muscles.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this added stress makes cardiac complications, including cardiomyopathies, congenital heart disease, heart muscle diseases, atrial fibrillation, heart valve diseases, even more severe.  It can even trigger heart failure or heart attacks.

Precautions For Cardiac Patients

Cardiac patients should be more careful about the risks, and they should carefully take precautionary measures to avoid exposure to SARS-CoV-2.  

  • Continue social distancing, at least 6 feet apart. Stay home as much as you can.
  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds.
  • Wear a mask or cloth face covering when you’re out in areas where it’s hard to social distance.
  • Try not to touch your mouth, nose, or eyes.
  • Keep monitoring the symptoms of COVID-19, such as difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing, and fever.
  • Keep the essential medical supplies like blood pressure equipment and a thermometer at your home.  Keep checking your conditions. Increased blood pressure daily can lead to serious cardiac complications.
  • Keep in touch with your health care provider to monitor your cardiac condition during this pandemic.
  • Do not hesitate to contact your doctor if you experience any symptoms.
  • According to the joint statement given by the Heart Failure Society of America, the American Heart Association, and the American College of Cardiology, cardiac patients should not take any medication without consulting with your cardiologist.

Additional Reading

COVID-19 | Cardiac PET and PET/CT

FDA Recalls Hand Sanitizer

COVID-19 | Resources, Part 1

COVID-19 | Resources, Part 2

Stress During COVID-19

What is the Relationship Between COVID-19 and Heart Damage?

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