COVID-19 Pandemic: Don't ignore your Heart

No doubt that Corona virus pandemic has taken a huge toll on our lives in many different ways. Among them, it has affected cardiovascular health. As an airborne virus, COVID 19 primarily affects the respiratory system, but heart and vascular tissues are not totally spared and there are well described increases in conditions such as heart attack and stroke among the severely infected patients.

Cardiovascular care however, has been affected beyond the direct effects of the virus. The very way patients seek medical attention in face of a cardiovascular problem, often urgent or emergent, has been impacted. As important it is to follow the health guidelines to reduce the risk of infection, it is of paramount importance not to ignore one’s cardiovascular symptoms and not to hesitate to seek medical attention should they arise. If you feel any symptoms of heart attack (such as chest pain, difficulty breathing) or stroke (such as numbness or weakness, or trouble speaking), please call your doctor or 911 if symptoms are severe.