COVID-19 and Your Heart

COVID-19 and Your Heart

If you have heart disease, or have survived a heart attack or stroke, you know it can be challenging – even during normal times.
COVID-19 has added another layer of worry, leaving many people with heart disease and other conditions on even higher alert than usual to stay healthy.
Experts are continuing to learn how COVID-19 affects the heart and blood vessels during the initial infection while someone is sick. But attention also has turned to understanding how COVID affects heart health over the long term (sometimes called long COVID).
Up to 3 out of 10 adults who have had COVID report new, returning, or persistent symptoms with long COVID. Also, research suggests that after COVID, you’re at higher risk for heart issues – for example, blood clots, inflammation, irregular heartbeats (also called  arrhythmias) heart attack, and heart failure. These issues can start even one year later.
While conditions regarding COVID are better, it’s still important to take steps to protect yourself and others, especially as new variants emerge or COVID-19 cases spike in your community. Be sure to stay up to date with recommended COVID-19 vaccines and boosters. These vaccines are safe and effective. They work by teaching the immune system to recognize and fight the virus that causes COVID-19.
Use this resource to find information about COVID-19 and tips to keep yourself and others healthy.

What You Should Know About COVID-19

COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. First discovered in 2019, the new coronavirus quickly spread around the world.
Although it’s part of the same family of viruses that cause the common cold, the virus that causes COVID-19 behaves differently.
As with other respiratory illnesses, COVID-19 infection can cause lung damage and breathing problems. But it also attacks other parts of the body, including the heart and blood vessels. It also seems to trigger inflammation and blood clots in some people. Because it had never been seen in humans before, at first no one had existing immunity to it (that is, an ability to naturally fight it).  Today, over half of Americans have had COVID-19 at some point, according to estimates. Vaccination has helped protect communities, too.
But we are still learning about the virus. For example:

• Why some people get very ill, while others only have mild symptoms or none at all
• What the long-term health and heart effects might be
• When protection wanes after someone has had COVID, is vaccinated and boosted or both
• What new variants will emerge and how they will change how fast the virus spreads or the severity of illness

It’s important to pay attention to COVID-19 cases in your community and take steps to protect yourself and others.

How to Manage Your Heart Health

In some ways, managing your heart condition during a pandemic stays the same. For example, just as you did before the COVID-19 outbreak, keep up with heart-healthy habits, manage stress and don’t stop any medications without talking with your care team.
You also will want to protect yourself and others by getting vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as your are able. In addition, you might want to take advantage of telemedicine for virtual visits. 
Also, it's a good idea to have essential supplies, food and medications on hand. Of course, these recommendations may change over time depending on the rise and fall of COVID-19 in your area. 
Keep reading this section to find more tips on how to stay heart strong and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

What You Should Know About Heart Medications

News about COVID-19 and heart medications may have caused you to wonder about the medications you take.  
Simply put: It is important to keep taking your medications as directed. The medicines you take for your heart and other health conditions such as blood clots, diabetes, kidney disease or depression, can help keep these conditions under control and prevent problems. 
We are still learning about COVID-19, but there is no evidence right now that heart medications make you more likely to get COVID-19 or become seriously ill from it. 
In fact, stopping your medications might cause more harm than catching COVID-19. Your medications help prevent heart attacks, dangerous heart rhythms, strokes, and other complications.
Stay on your medications unless told otherwise by your care team. And always remember to check with them before making any changes to your treatment. 
To learn more about recent research, go to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) news page. 

More Information

For People With Heart Failure: The American College of Cardiology joined with other professional societies and patient groups on a handout to help people living with heart failure during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Addendum 
COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions for Persons with Heart Failure

Latest Updates

Visit these sites for the latest information about COVID-19:
Coronavirus (COVID-19): CDC 
www.CDC.gov/Coronavirus
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak: WHO
www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
When You've Been Fully Vaccinated
www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated.html
What To Do if You Are Sick
www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html
Caring for People With Post-COVID Conditions
www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/long-term-effects/care-post-covid.html 

Common Heart Issues After COVID

If you’ve noticed any new or ongoing health issues after having COVID, it’s important to talk with your care team. There are tests, treatments, post-COVID clinics, and research studies that may help. Learn more about common heart symptoms after COVID and possible next steps you can take. Download the file to view and print the 2-page handout. Download
Source: https://www.cardiosmart.org/topics/coronavirus