COVID-19 and Heart Diseases – Dr. M. S. Aditya

Since COVID-19 pandemic has emerged, there have been a lot of threats posed to people with medical issues such as high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity or cardiovascular disease. Individuals with such pre-existing medical conditions are at higher risk for the infection.

1. Precautions for heart patients during the pandemic.

Patients with heart disease are considered to be at higher risk for adverse events during the Covid pandemic. However, it is our observation that patients with good blood pressure control, diabetic control and cholesterol control, do not suffer as much as people with poor metabolic control. So, it is important that patients continue to take the medications regularly which will help us to limit the damage that occurs because of Covid infections. Also, it is important that symptoms are picked up at an early stage and can be diagnosed faster. For example, patients suffering from breathlessness, chest discomfort, fever and cough should not delay in their diagnosis. Once the disease is identified at the early stage, it will help to treat the patient quicker and better.

2. Can any medications be discontinued during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Patients using antihypertensives, anti- diabetics and treatment for cholesterol should continue their existing medications. There should be no change in the schedule or in the dosage. Some of the medications that need to be avoided or should not be taken are pain killers i.e NSAIDs and steroids without any proper prescriptions. Because, these drugs are found to add adverse effects on a patient suffering from heart disease as well as suffering from Covid infection.

3. How does COVID-19 affect the heart?

Patients who have covid infection, tend to have more blockages in the vessels. The clots formed in the arteries that supply blood to the lung, the heart and sometimes the kidney are more affected. Besides, the Covid infection also has been found to infect the heart muscle directly which is also called myocarditis. There is a diverse group of cardiovascular investigations of the covid disease for which several presentations are already known and some of them are still under research.

4. Can Cardiac procedures be performed during the pandemic?

All emergency life-saving procedures such as primary or emergency angioplasty or angiogram, bypass surgeries have been undertaken quite safely across the world in the Covid pandemic situation. It is important to take help as quickly as possible. There should not be any delay in the treatment because of fear for Covid infection. It is important for any patient not to be afraid to visit the hospitals, with a fear that they may contact the disease because heart disease is equally fatal if there is any delay in the treatment. It is desirable that patients take the necessary precautions such as wearing N95 masks, social distancing norms and hand hygiene through sanitization. They can still make their hospital visits, get prompt advice and if necessary can undergo any procedure that may be useful to save their life quite safely in this covid pandemic situation.

The Covid pandemic has emerged as an important challenge to the society, to the medical profession and we have to fight it out with all the means and measures available. Yashoda Hospitals is quite capable of handling the medical complications or medical challenges that have emerged from the Covid pandemic. It is also important that we take care of other diseases and other medical conditions and non covid conditions during this time. Ignorance or delay in these treatments can lead to adverse outcomes and unnecessary mortality or morbidity.