How Does my Heart Condition Affect my Risk for COVID-19?

As you are aware through many CDC alerts, patients who are older and/or have underlying conditions defined broadly as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, hypertension and others, are at increased risk to have complications if they contract COVID-19.

To date, there is no evidence that such patients are more likely to contract the virus, but clear evidence that once they do contract, they would be more likely to have serious complications, including a higher fatality rate.

What Can You do to Reduce Your Risk?

An ounce of prevention remains far more powerful than mounts of treatments. As such, follow the rigorous guidelines set by CDC to avoid the disease. Evidence is very clear that those who follow those guidelines to the letter have a very low risk of contracting the virus. Those guidelines have continued to evolve but are centered on the following steps:

• Practice social distancing: at all times stay 6 feet away from others.
• Double down on personal hygiene: make sure you practice hand washing very frequently for 20 seconds each time with soap and preferably warm water. This becomes especially crucial after touching things/items that have been touched by others.
• Do not share personal items:  this includes towels, pens, utensils, food etc.
• Wear a mask if you have to go out in public: a very simple mask is fine. A cloth mask or scarf that covers your nose and mouth will be fine too.
• Wipe common surfaces frequently, including shopping carts, door handles, etc.
• At the end of the day practice common sense and you will offer yourself and your family the best protection.