Heart Risks Raise COVID Risks

If you have heart disease risks, you may also have a greater risk of getting a bad case of COVID. (Read about "Heart Risks" "Coronaviruses") In a recent study, people at risk of future heart disease and stroke may be at greater risk for severe COVID-19. (Read about "Coronary Heart Disease" "Stroke")

The research suggests that people with elevated risk of developing a stroke or heart attack over the next 10 years - but without existing cardiovascular disease (CVD) - who contract COVID-19 (Read about "Heart Attack"), are nearly three times as likely to be hospitalized and require treatment in intensive care, and six times as likely to die from COVID-19, compared to those at low cardiovascular risk.

To estimate a person's risk of future CVD, researchers calculated a score called "QRISK3" that combines a range of factors including body mass index, smoking history, blood pressure, cholesterol, age, social deprivation and ethnicity. (Read about "Body Mass Index" "Quit Smoking" "Hypertension: High Blood Pressure" "Cholesterol") Those estimated to have a 10 percent or higher chance of a heart attack or stroke within the next 10 years were classed as at "raised risk", and those with less than a 10 percent chance, at "low risk".

The researchers found that the likelihood of COVID-19 infection was similar among individuals with raised and low cardiovascular risk.

However, rates of death (311 per 1,000 vs 24 per 1,000), ICU admission (97 per 1,000 vs 36 per 1,000) and hospitalization (607 per 1,000 vs 169 per 1,000) were substantially higher in those with raised cardiovascular risk.

COVID-19 can cause a range of issues, from mild symptoms to severe illness and death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say symptoms can appear days after exposure and include:

• fever
• cough
• shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• chills
• repeated shaking with chills
• muscle pain
• headache
• sore throat
• new loss of taste or smell
• congestion or runny nose
• nausea or vomiting
• diarrhea

This list does not include all possible symptoms. CDC says it will continue to update this list as it learns more about COVID-19.

If you have any symptoms, do not go into work. Call your healthcare provider for medical advice.

Trouble breathing and /or persistent pain or pressure in the chest indicate an emergency situation and you should seek help. If you or someone around you develops new confusion or inability to arouse that too is a reason to seek care. Bluish lips or face can indicate a low oxygen level and should also be treated as an emergency.

As with other diseases caused by coronaviruses, COVID-19 is believed to spread from person to person through droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

CDC says it is important that people take steps to protect themselves, including:

• Clean your hands often. You should wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. This is especially important is you have been out in public or if you have just sneezed or coughed. If you don't have access to soap and water, hand sanitizers containing at least 60 percent alcohol can be used. Rub hands with the sanitizer until they feel dry.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.
• Used correctly, masks can reduce the inhalation of virus-laden droplets, which can protect the person wearing the mask. Masks can also reduce the emission of virus-laden droplets, which is important so that asymptomatic people do not infect others.
• As soon as you can, CDC says you should get a COVID-19 vaccine. All of the available vaccines have been tested in clinical trials. (Read about "Clinical Studies") The studies show that the vaccines reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, and lower the severity of the disease if you do contract it. Contact your healthcare provider or state health department to learn about your vaccine status.

If you have any symptoms, do not go into work. Call your healthcare provider for medical advice.