[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2021\/06\/dont-delay-cardiovascular-care\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2021\/06\/dont-delay-cardiovascular-care\/","headline":"Why You Shouldn’t Delay Cardiovascular Care Due to COVID-19","name":"Why You Shouldn’t Delay Cardiovascular Care Due to COVID-19","description":"You should continue to seek care for new and existing cardiovascular conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic.","datePublished":"2021-06-28","dateModified":"2022-06-08","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/heart-vascular","name":"Heart and Vascular Institute","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/heart-vascular","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/heart-and-vascular-institute\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/tavr_blg.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/tavr_blg.jpg","height":327,"width":753},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2021\/06\/dont-delay-cardiovascular-care\/","about":["COVID-19","Health Topics A-Z","Heart and Vascular Health"],"wordCount":1405,"articleBody":"Disclaimer: At UPMC HealthBeat, we strive to provide the most up-to-date facts in our stories when we publish them. We also make updates to our content as information changes. However, education about COVID-19 can shift quickly based on new data, emerging variants, or other factors. The information in this story was accurate as of its publish date. We also encourage you to visit other reliable websites for updated information, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and your state and local governments.\u00a0The COVID-19 pandemic put a strain on people with cardiovascular conditions.People with existing medical conditions \u2014 like cardiovascular problems \u2014 are at greater risk of COVID-19 complications. And according to the American Heart Association, many COVID-19 survivors may suffer heart damage \u2014 even if they don’t have a heart condition.But COVID-19 also had an indirect effect on people’s cardiovascular health in the form of delayed care. Because of the pandemic, many put off cardiovascular care. This led to later diagnoses, sicker patients, and more deaths from cardiovascular conditions.\u201cA lot of patients who decided to come back into the office were far sicker than what we had really noticed before,” says Aryan Aiyer, MD, medical director, UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute Lipid Clinic.Heart health is critically important during the pandemic. It is crucial to monitor your symptoms and get care from your health team.Cardiovascular Care and COVID-19COVID-19 had a direct impact on many people’s cardiovascular health, with many survivors developing heart issues. But the pandemic also had an indirect impact.Several factors may have contributed to a delay in care, including:COVID-19 prevention efforts: Attempts to limit the risk of COVID-19 spread in the community led to changing cardiovascular care. Nonessential procedures were postponed or canceled, and many in-person doctor visits went virtual. That could have affected the care patients received.Fear of COVID-19: Worry about getting COVID-19 may have caused people to put off care.Poor nutrition\/exercise habits in isolation: Because of government regulations, many people spent much of 2020 and 2021 at home. Poor nutrition and a lack of exercise while living in isolation could have caused or worsened some cardiovascular conditions.\u201cEven subtle symptoms like a slight gain in weight for a patient with heart failure could be the beginning of something ,” Dr. Aiyer says. \u201cWe lost opportunities to take care of that early on.”A June 2020 global survey of health care providers by the European Society of Cardiology found a significant drop in the number of heart attack patients who sought care at the hospital.According to the survey, the number of people who sought urgent hospital care for a heart attack dropped more than 50%. Of the people who did go to the hospital, 48% arrived after the optimal window for care.A UPMC Stroke Institute study in 2020 found the number of people going to the hospital for stroke treatment dropped 40% after the start of the pandemic.Delays in seeking care could lead to more severe disease \u2014 and even death.A January 2021 study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that United States deaths from ischemic heart disease and hypertensive disease increased after the pandemic began. Delayed care was one possible reason for the increase.\u201cThe delay in care, for whatever reason, has led to people coming in sicker,” Dr. Aiyer says.Maintaining Your Heart Health During COVID-19There are several ways you can maintain your cardiovascular health at all times, including during COVID-19.Self-monitor your cardiovascular dataKeeping an eye on important heart-related numbers can help you recognize if something is wrong.Blood pressure: A blood pressure reading below 120\/80 is considered normal, according to the American Heart Association. Consistently elevated blood pressure could be a warning sign. Dr. Aiyer recommends buying a blood pressure cuff and checking your blood pressure twice a week. You can share your results with your doctor. \u201cBloodpressure, and blood pressure control, has been a key factor in terms ofextending longevity,” Dr. Aiyer says.Heart rate\/arrhythmias: For most adults, a normal resting heart rate is between 60 and100 beats per minute, the American Heart Association says. Heart rates can be higher while exercising. Heart rates thatare too low, too fast, or irregular can be a sign of arrhythmia, which could beserious. Many wearable devices can help you track your heart rate. Ifyou notice changes, contact your doctor. \u201cThose devices allow patientsto do some monitoring on their own so that care is not delayed,” Dr.Aiyer saysWeight gain: It can be a sign of trouble for people with existing conditions. Dr. Aiyer says keeping an eye on yourweight \u2014 and making diet or exercise changes based on what you see \u2014 can bevaluable.Keep up with blood work and screeningsIf you have an existing condition, you should maintain regular appointments with your doctor. Blood work measuring cholesterol, blood count, glucose level, kidney function, and more can provide important information about your overall health.Cardiac tests and screenings \u2014 echocardiograms, cardiac MRIs, stress tests, and more \u2014 are also important if you have a diagnosed condition or if you are experiencing problems.Pay attention to warning signsHeart and vascular disease can cause many different symptoms. Although a heart attack can happen quickly, there can be warning signs that something is wrong.Some typical signs of heart and vascular disease include:Chest pain or discomfortChest palpitations (heart beating too fast or irregularly)Pain or discomfort in other areas of the body, including arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomachShortness of breathNausea\/vomitingLightheadednessCold sweatFatigueExtreme anxietyFainting or loss of consciousnessPain, numbness, or swelling in legs, ankles, or feetSkin discolorationGangreneChest pain is the most common heart attack symptom in both men and women. But women are more likely to experience some of the other common symptoms. Those include pain in the jaw or back, nausea or vomiting, and shortness of breath.If you experience any of the symptoms listed above or anything else unusual, call your doctor.Stroke warning signsYou should also be aware of stroke warning signs. The acronym BE FAST can help you know what to look for:Balance: Sudden loss of balance.Eyes: Sudden double vision\/vision loss.Face: One side of face drooping.Arms: Numbness or weakness in one arm.Speech: Slurred speech.Time: Call 911 immediately if you notice these symptoms.Other symptoms of stroke include a sudden, severe headache or sudden confusion.One-third of stroke patients previously had a transient ischemic attack (TIA), or ministroke. If you or a loved one experience a TIA, call your doctor.Providing Safe Care at UPMC During COVID-19Dr. Aiyer says concern about COVID-19 is understandable. But it’s still important to get the care you need for existing health conditions, including cardiovascular problems.“It is still safe to come to the doctor’s office, get evaluated, and be seen, especially if you have symptoms or risk factors,” Dr. Aiyer says. “That delay in care could lead to a situation where you’re more susceptible.”At UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute (HVI), we are committed to providing you the care you need while keeping you safe from COVID-19. We are taking steps to prevent the risk of COVID-19 spread. We require facemasks in all UPMC facilities and are following other preventive measures like physical distancing and sanitizing.We also encourage patients to get the COVID-19 vaccine. You can schedule an appointment to get the vaccine from UPMC by visiting Vaccine.UPMC.com.For more information on the HVI or to schedule an appointment, call 1-855-876-2484 or visit us online.SourcesAmerican Heart Association, Target Heart Rates Chart. LinkAmerican Heart Association, Understanding Blood Pressure Readings. LinkAmerican Heart Association, Warning Signs of a Heart Attack. LinkAmerican Stroke Association, Stroke Symptoms. LinkGuilherme Pessoa-Amorim, MD, Christian F. Camm, BM BCh, Parag Gajendragadkar, MD, European Heart Journal - Quality of Care and Clinical Outcomes, Admission of Patients With STEMI Since the Outbreak of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Survey by the European Society of Cardiology. LinkRishi K Wadhera, MD, Changyu Shen, PhD, Suhas Gondi, et al, Journal of the American College of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Deaths During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States. LinkLaura Williamson, American Heart Association, What COVID-19 Is Doing to the Heart, Even After Recovery. LinkU.S. National Library of Medicine, Warning Signs and Symptoms of Heart Disease. 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