HEALTHY HEART NEWS Volume 22 | OCTOBER 2021
Beverly Keefer, Director of Cardiovascular Services /Neel Khanna, Medical Director of MSLC Cardiovascular Institute
Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall’s Cardiovascular Institute is committed to you and our community. We pride ourselves on being an engaged partner with the many constituencies that we serve. As part of our commitment to meeting your heart health needs, we have developed this quarterly newsletter filled with information that can improve the quality of, and in some cases, help save your life. If there are topics that you would like to see covered in future editions, please e-mail Beverly Keefer, Director of Cardiovascular Services, Cardiac Cath and Interventional Radiology at bkeefer@montefioreslc.org.
COVID-19 AND THE HEART Early in the pandemic, researchers made a striking observation. Compared to the general population, people with cardiovascular disease were more than twice as likely to contract severe forms of COVID-19. In the last six months, death rates from COVID-19 have dropped significantly, but having cardiovascular disease still increases the risk.
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Some health conditions, like diabetes, increase the risk of severe COVID-19 by suppressing the immune system; others, like asthma, increase risk by weakening the lungs. However, in the early months of the pandemic it was not entirely clear how cardiovascular disease increased the risk of severe COVID-19. We now know that pre-existing heart conditions, such as damaged heart muscle or blocked heart arteries, weaken the body’s ability to survive the stress of the illness. A person with a weakened heart is more likely to be affected by the effects of fever, low oxygen levels, unstable blood pressures, and blood clotting disorders — all possible consequences of COVID-19 — than someone that was previously healthy.
When it comes to keeping your heart healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s a lot to think about.
We also know that poor underlying health is more common in those with heart disease. Diseases such as type 2 diabetes, prediabetes and obesity, which themselves cause inflammation and risk of blood clots, can increase the effects of COVID-19 and increase the likelihood of complications from COVID-19. World Heart Day is celebrated every year at the end of September. Why not take the time this fall and adopt healthy behaviors which can strengthen defenses against COVID-19 while also reducing the long-term risk from Cardiovascular disease? Remember to eat healthy, exercise, get enough rest, monitor your blood pressure, and take your medications as prescribed.
Covering Your Coughs and Sneezes Following Your Community Health Guidelines Cleaning and Disinfecting Frequently Touched Surfaces Monitoring Your Health Daily
Do what you can to protect yourself from COVID-19, but don’t let the pandemic stop you from keeping up with your regular medical care, or from getting emergency medical care if you believe you could be having a stroke or heart attack. Remember - get vaccinated. The COVID-19 vaccines are some of the best tools we have in the fight against coronavirus, especially for people with heart problems. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which sets policy on vaccine use, now has also recommended Pfizer booster vaccines for those that initially received the Pfizer vaccination. People 65 and older, residents in long-term care settings, and people 50 and older with underlying medical conditions should receive a booster at least six months after their initial Pfizer vaccine doses. Scientists are still studying the coronavirus and treatment options. But the things they have learned show that COVID-19 is a serious illness. It’s important to take steps to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and to keep your self and your heart safe!
If you have a heart condition, you can continue to protect yourself, your community, and your loved ones by: •
Getting Vaccinated - On January 15, 2021, the American Heart Association released a statement urging all individuals to get vaccinated to keep themselves, their family and their community healthy and safe: In particular, people with cardiovascular risk factors, heart disease, and heart attack and stroke survivors should get vaccinated as soon as possible because they are at much greater risk from the virus than they are from the vaccine.
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Wearing a Mask in Public Settings
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Staying At Least 6-Feet Away From People Who Are Not Part of Your Household
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Avoiding Crowds
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Avoiding Poorly Ventilated Indoor Spaces
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Washing Your Hands Often
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montefiore st. luke’s cornwall Cardiovascular Institute | (845) 561-4400 | www.montefioreslc.org