Stay Heart Healthy During COVID-19

You might have heard that one of the most common complications that could arise from COVID-19 involve your heart.

Cardiac complications are a serious issue with this virus. Some of the most common issues that researchers have uncovered include:

• Myocardial injury, which refers to injuries impacting the muscle tissue of your heart
• Myocarditis, which is inflammation involving your heart
• Cardiac failure, which is the inability of your heart to meet the demands of your body
• Dysrhythmias, which impact the electrical conductivity of your heart
• Blood clots, which clog your blood vessels and prevent blood and oxygen from getting where it needs to go

Some of these complications can even be life-threatening. That's why it's important to focus on ways to maintain heart health during COVID-19. If you are living with a chronic heart condition, then these tips are even more important for you.

Focus On Following Guidelines

The most important tip that you should follow to keep your heart healthy is to stick to the new guidelines. This means that you have to follow the guidelines that have been issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Specifically, you should: 

• Practice social distancing at all times
• Wear a mask when you go out in public
• Avoid going out in public unless necessary
• Wash your hands regularly with warm water and soap or an alcohol-based sanitizer

In addition, you should seek medical care if you feel like something isn’t right. There are additional healthcare options available, as well.

Use Telemedicine

If you are nervous about going to the doctor because you are trying to practice social distancing and hospital safety, that is okay. There are other options available. Specifically, telemedicine is available.

This allows you, as the patient, to visit with a doctor either over the phone or using videoconferencing technology. While your doctor might not be able to listen to your heart, your doctor can still direct you to the lab if he or she feels like you need blood work or an EKG completed. While you might be shy about tele-visits, they are becoming more common, and the technology is present. If you have questions about your heart, you can see a doctor using telemedicine.

Live a Healthy Lifestyle

Even though the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted all areas of our lives, stick to the basics of heart health. Some of the most important lifestyle changes you can make to keep your heart healthy include:

• Communicate with your doctor on a regular basis
• If you are supposed to track your blood pressure, keep doing this
• Get at least 8 hours of sleep per night
• Exercise regularly, which should include cardio workouts several times per week
• Eat a healthy diet that is high in protein and fiber while limiting synthetic sugar and saturated fats

Making these lifestyle changes can help you protect your heart.

Seek Care for Heart Emergencies

Finally, know when you are dealing with a cardiac emergency. Some of the signs include:

• Shortness of breath
• Muscle pain
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Chest pain
• Facial drooping
• Speech changes
• Vision loss

If you are experiencing these symptoms, then you need to seek emergency care right away. Take care of your heart. There are additional resources available.