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Corona tips for heart patients: an interview with a heart specialist
People with heart disease belong to the risk group in the corona pandemic. A renowned cardiologist and intensive care physician gives tips so that those affected can get through the winter unscathed.
Professor Dr. med. Thomas Voigtländer is a heart specialist and deputy chairman of the board of the German Heart Foundation. In a recent interview, the heart expert explains what people with cardiovascular diseases should pay attention to this winter.
How dangerous is COVID-19 if you have heart disease?
As Professor Voigtländer reports, the risk for heart patients who become infected with the coronavirus varies from case to case. There is still no reliable data on the effects of heart disease on the course of COVID-19. It is estimated that five to ten percent of all cases of COVID-19 disease with existing heart problems have complications.
“If there is a massive heart failure, it can be dangerous,” warns the heart expert. The individual risk for those affected with heart diseases such as coronary artery disease, heart valve diseases or cardiac arrhythmias as well as circulatory problems such as high blood pressure must be clarified with the responsible specialist practice.
Age is a decisive factor
Age must be taken into account when making a personal assessment of the risk. People aged 60 and over should be particularly careful “because their immune systems are less able to defend themselves against the virus,” emphasizes Professor Voigtländer. For heart patients, it must always be about minimizing unnecessary and additional risks. Of course, this also applies to older people without heart disease.
Avoid COVID-19 and influenza
According to the heart specialist, people with heart disease should be particularly careful this winter and avoid infection with both influenza and corona viruses. In addition to the known hygiene and distance measures, unnecessary travel in risk areas should also be avoided.
How do you recognize a COVID-19 disease?
Many symptoms overlap with typical cold infections, which are more common in winter. According to Professor Voigtländer, there is no other option than to have a corona test done to reliably prove whether or not you have been infected with SARS-CoV-2. “Neither a patient nor a doctor can say exactly which symptom is from which virus without a test,” emphasizes the heart specialist.
Also read: Typical corona symptoms: These symptoms can indicate COVID-19.
Vaccinations can protect
The heart expert also recommends people with cardiovascular disease to get vaccinated against flu and pneumococci. Pneumococci are the main pathogen causing pneumonia. Vaccination is recommended for people aged 60 and over or for younger people with chronic lung diseases.
Do endurance sports
“The decisive factor is a healthy lifestyle with a healthy diet and, above all, exercise”, emphasizes the cardiologist. He advises doing endurance sports at least three times a week, such as walking for an hour or jogging for 30 minutes. Depending on the existing illness, the sports program should be discussed with a doctor. Which sport is carried out is irrelevant. Because every movement is better than no movement.
Avoid being overweight
According to Professor Voigtländer, a healthy diet is also very important. If possible, you should also not be overweight. The expert advises against vitamin preparations, unless there is a specific deficiency. A balanced diet is completely sufficient to meet the nutritional needs.
A healthy diet and exercise strengthen the immune system
With a healthy diet and regular exercise, every person can effectively reduce the most important risk factors for high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke, says the cardiologist. “Everything that is good for heart health in general also strengthens the body’s defenses and supports the immune system.”
Moving forward with a good example
Voigtländer claims to lead a healthy lifestyle with lots of sport. In addition, he carries out a warm-cold alternating shower every day. “It’s like a mini sauna for me,” says the cardiologist. To what extent this actually helps health, however, he cannot say. (vb)
Author and source information
This text corresponds to the requirements of the medical literature, medical guidelines and current studies and has been checked by medical professionals.
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Author:
Diploma-Editor (FH) Volker Blasek
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Swell:
- Deutsche Herzstiftung eV: Living with the Coronavirus (published: December 9th, 2020), herzstiftung.de
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Important NOTE:
This article is for general guidance only and should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. He can not substitute a visit at the doctor.
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