During the pandemic, you may be exercising less, limiting your trips outside, and no longer eating a healthy diet, and this may be taking its toll. Some doctors say 25 percent of their patients have gained up to 20 pounds, and that can be leading to decline in mental health.
As a result, during this difficult period, experts at Mount Sinai are encouraging a focus on exercise, mental health, and nutrition, especially for those already at risk for heart disease, and they are sharing some tips on heart disease prevention to lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and COVID-19.
Icilma Fergus, MD
“It is critical to stay physically fit and in your best personal health to combat heart disease, COVID-19 infection and the post-COVID effects,” says Icilma Fergus, MD, Director of Cardiovascular Disparities at The Mount Sinai Hospital. “During this pandemic some patients have expressed they’re dealing with stress, anxiety, insomnia, and depression. We discuss techniques to improve their mental and emotional wellness, which carries over to their cardiovascular health.”
Doctors say participating in home-exercise programs, taking a short walk, dancing, stretching, and even house cleaning will get you moving and make a difference.
“Keeping a good mental outlook is also key and it’s important for people to find ways to ensure that this happens by staying active, meditating, or simply doing things that make them happy,” says Dr. Fergus.
• Know your family history.
• Be aware of five key numbers cited by the American Heart Association: blood pressure, total cholesterol, HDL (or “good”) cholesterol, body mass index, and fasting glucose levels.
• Maintain a healthy diet, eating nutrient-rich food and eliminating sweets. Limit alcohol consumption to no more than one drink per day. Quit smoking. Watch your weight and exercise regularly.
• Learn the warning signs of heart attack and stroke, including chest discomfort; shortness of breath; pain in arms, back, neck, or jaw; breaking out in a cold sweat; and lightheadedness.
According to the American Heart Association, about one in three people with COVID-19 has cardiovascular disease, making it the most common underlying health condition. COVID-19 patients with underlying conditions are six times more likely to be hospitalized and 12 times more likely to die than patients without any chronic health problems.
Nearly half of adults in the United States—more than 121 million people—have some type of cardiovascular disease. It is the leading cause of death among men and women in the United States; nearly 650,000 die from it every year. Yet heart disease is preventable 80 percent of the time.
COVID-19’s Impact on the Heart and Recovery
COVID-19 can cause an inflammatory response in the body, along with clotting that can impact the heart and how it functions. Mount Sinai researchers discovered that some hospitalized COVID-19 patients have structural damage after cardiac injury that can be associated with deadly conditions including heart attack, pulmonary embolism, heart failure, and myocarditis, or inflammation of the heart.
Non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients can also experience complications including heart rhythm disorders, hypertension, myocarditis, and chest pain that feels similar to a heart attack. Cardiologists say it’s important for COVID-19 survivors—even without cardiac symptoms—to have a heart exam two to three weeks after recovery, as there could be residual effects that may go undetected and lead to future health problems.
“For anyone who developed heart issues post-COVID-19, exercise should be delayed two to three weeks after resolution of symptoms including chest pain, palpitations, and shortness of breath. Remember to ‘go slow’ as recovery from this illness is not a sprint; it is a marathon,” says Maryann McLaughlin, MD, Director of Cardiovascular Health and Wellness at Mount Sinai Heart. “Anyone who has been diagnosed with myocarditis needs to be under a physician’s direction when deciding to exercise, and competitive athletes may need three months to recover from the illness before returning to full routine.”
Recovered COVID-19 patients with a history of heart attack, coronary artery disease, or cardiac stents, should get a monitored stress test before getting back to a full workout. Anyone who had chest pain while sick with COVID-19 should talk to their doctor about evaluation with an echocardiogram or other cardiac imaging.
High-Risk Groups and COVID-19 Vaccinations
Everyone is at risk of heart disease, but people are more susceptible to getting the disease if they have cardiovascular risk factors including high cholesterol, high blood pressure, being overweight, and using tobacco. Age is also a factor, specifically for women over 65 and men older than 55, along with those with a family history of heart disease and people who sleep less than six hours a night.
Certain minority groups including African Americans and Latinos are also at higher risk due to genetic predisposition, diet, lifestyle factors, and socio-economic factors. However, illness in any population can be prevented by taking simple steps towards a healthier lifestyle.
Mount Sinai cardiologists encourage those in these high-risk groups to get a COVID-19 vaccine when they qualify under state distribution guidelines.
“We have noticed some patients in these high-risk minority groups have been reluctant to get vaccinated, fearing it’s not safe. What is important for them to understand is that tremendous scientific advancements have led to the safe development of COVID-19 vaccines and we are encouraging them to get vaccinated,” says Johanna Contreras, MD, Director of Heart Failure and Transplantation at Mount Sinai Morningside.