What heart patients should know about coronavirus?
American Heart Association
February 27, 2020
For people with underlying heart issues, the concerns are serious enough that the American College of Cardiology issued a bulletin to warn patients about the potential increased risk and to encourage "additional, reasonable precautions."
Nancy Messonnier, MD, is the Director of the Center for the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD). Messonnier summed up her advice as, "Stay home if you're sick; cover your cough; wash your hands."
The virus's main target is the lungs. But that could affect the heart, especially a diseased heart, which has to work harder to get oxygenated blood throughout the body, she said. "In general, you can think of it as something that is taxing the system as a whole." That could exacerbate problems for someone with heart failure, where the heart is already having problems pumping efficiently.
Someone with an underlying heart issue also might have a less robust immune system. People's immune systems weaken as they age and in those with chronic medical conditions, the body's immune response is not as strong a response when exposed to viruses." If such a person catches a virus, she said it's likely to stick around and cause complications.
Patients of all ages with no underlying chronic conditions had a fatality rate of 1.4 percent, according to the WHO report. Covid-19 patients with cardiovascular disease had a rate of 13.2 percent; with diabetes, 9.2 percent; with hypertension, 8.4 percent; with chronic respiratory disease, 8 percent; and with cancer, 7.6 percent.
Proper Handwashing - is the best way to avoid coronavirus infection. Here's expert guidance on how to do it right. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says proper handwashingmeans scrubbing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Step 1: Scrub your palms in a circular motion
Step 2: Scrub the back of your hands
Step 3: Scrub under your fingernails
Step 4: Scrub between your fingers
Water and Soap are Best - but you can use an alcohol-based sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. It will kill coronavirus on your hands as long as it consists of at least 60% alcohol, health experts say.
Clean your Smartphone - Remember most smartphones are covered in germs. Infectious-disease experts say that to kill any Coronavirus that may be on its surface, you need to use a disinfectant such as Clorox wipes or alcohol based wipes.
See your Doctor - Schedule an appointment with your Primary Care Physician, if you have a persistent cough, fever or shortness of breath.
Remember to Stay Healthy and Safe,
Best Regards,
Vic Fabry
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Victor Fabry
Short Hills, New Jersey
fvfabry@gmail.com------------------------------