CVD and COVID-19: Take Care of Your Heart

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is just like other underlying health conditions that poses the risk of getting infected by the new coronavirus COVID-19. People of all ages can be infected by COVID-19, especially over the age of 60 and those we have underlying medical conditions:

• Hypertension
• Diabetes
• Chronic Respiratory Disease
• Cardiovascular Disease
• Cancer

CVD Patients – Take Care of Your Heart

Being a CVD patient if you experience any of these symptom, call your doctor or hospital immediately:

• shortness of breath
• fever
• coughing

Being in self-quarantine can lead people to adopt unhealthy eating habits. It is extremely important to avoid any stress and exhaustion during this unprecedented lockdown. Make sure you follow a daily schedule and maintain a healthy lifestyle, though being at home. Here are few tips that can help you living a heart healthy life during this situation.

• Continue doing exercise, eating a balanced diet, staying hydrated and getting adequate sleep.
• Maintain your social network remotely – communicate with your friends and family on a regular basis.
• Limit the news and information you consume if that is making you more stressed. More importantly trust only reliable sources like WHO.
• Avoid consuming alcohol or smoking during this situation as this makes you more vulnerable to get infected.

WHO recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity per week, or a combination of both. These recommendations can still be achieved even at home:

• Take short active breaks during the day.
• Follow an online exercise class.
• Walk, stand up and relax!

The bottom line…

Typically considered a threat to the lungs, COVID-19 also presents a significant threat to heart health, according to recently published research. Experts say it’s important for those with cardiovascular disease to be isolated from people with COVID-19 symptoms.