Those with underlying health conditions are most vulnerable to COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. The virus is especially dangerous to people with heart disease.
For people with hypertension, coronary artery disease, and congestive heart failure, COVID-19 can be deadly. That’s according to a study by JAMA Cardiology.
Dr. Dennis Disch is a cardiologist and chief medical officer for the Spectrum Health Lakeland Niles location. He says the coronavirus is taking otherwise stable heart disease patients and causing heart attacks.
“I don’t know that I’ve ever seen any virus in my career that has caused such severe, overwhelming infection in a patient that it tips their heart disease over to the extent that COVID-19 can.”
Disch says the virus weakens and puts a stress on the heart muscles which exacerbates any existing issues.
Many elective procedures have been pushed back to secure space in hospitals in case of a spike in COVID-19 patients. Many people have also avoided hospitals and waiting rooms even if they need medical attention because they fear catching the virus.
And for patients with heart disease, waiting too long to get help can be a dangerous mistake.
Disch says it’s hard to say when the pandemic will start getting better and certain procedures can’t wait until then.
“There’s a trade off between the risk that one might incur by coming into a doctor's office or hospital, versus the risk one might incur from delaying necessary treatment.”
Disch says there’s been a roughly 20 percent decrease in patients at Spectrum Health Lakeland and that’s not because people are healthier all of a sudden.
He says it’s more likely that people are having heart attacks at home and are too nervous to go to the hospital during the pandemic.
Disch says it’s crucial patients with heart conditions contact their cardiologist if they experience any worsening symptoms, even in the midst of a pandemic.
Contact Annacaroline at acaruso@wvpe.org or follow her on Twitter at @AnnacarolineC16
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