Vaccines Safe for Heart

Heart patients shouldn't fear COVID vaccines. (Read about "Coronaviruses") COVID-19 vaccination is not associated with an increased risk of heart attack or stroke in patients with established cardiovascular disease, according to a large study. (Read about "Heart Attack" "Stroke")

This was the first study to examine the association between COVID-19 vaccines and the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with cardiovascular disease.

The investigators identified patients with existing cardiovascular disease and a new MACE diagnosis. Established cardiovascular disease included coronary heart disease (Read about "Coronary Heart Disease"), cerebrovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease (Read about "Peripheral Arterial Disease"), and prior interventions such as stenting. MACE included myocardial infarction, stroke, revascularisation or cardiovascular death.

A total of 229,235 patients with cardiovascular disease were identified, of which 1,764 were vaccinated and experienced MACE during the study period.

There was no evidence of an elevated risk of MACE after the first or second dose of the vaccines.

"The findings were consistent for women and men, individuals aged under and above 65 years old, and patients with different underlying cardiovascular conditions. The results should provide reassurance about the cardiovascular safety of these two vaccines," said the study authors.

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.