If you or anyone in your family member had a stroke or is living with a heart condition, the spread of coronavirus might be especially worrying.

The coronavirus is a newly found virus that is starting to build a picture of impacts on the human brain and heart health. Researchers have found out that people who have had a stroke and those who have a heart condition are at higher risk of complications if they have the virus. So it’s very important to do everything you can do to avoid the disease.

How To Protect Yourself From Exposure

To protect yourself, you must follow every public health measure given such as frequent handwashing and social distancing. If you have heart disease or have had a stroke, these are the factors you need to consider:

• Make sure to have contact lists of healthcare providers, caregivers, home care staff, and your family and friends who can help you.
• You also need to have a supply of current prescriptions and check if your pharmacy provides a delivery right to your home. It is a good idea to make sure someone in your family is familiar with your medications and can refill them.
• Give priority to heart-healthy choices if you will stock up foods. If you have heart failure, it is important to control the amount of salt you consume. Check the labels and choose a lower salt or no-salt-added option.

Also, with your healthy diet, it will be helpful if you will maintain regular physical activity and avoid tobacco smoking. These things will help maintain the health of your heart and brain.

Must I Need To Keep Taking All My Prescriptions?

You need to continue to take all your medications as prescribed. If you stop taking your medicines, you may feel worse from your health condition and may need medical attention. This applies to medications such as ARBs and ACE inhibitors. These drugs are commonly used to treat both high blood and heart failure. If you have any concerns, talk to your healthcare provider.

Medical Appointments

During this time of the outbreak, it is wise to just stay at home as much as possible to minimize your risk of being exposed to the virus. However, it is still important to seek medical care especially when you need it. If you have any symptoms or are worried about your condition, contact your doctor. If it’s a personal appointment, follow the direction of your doctor.

Our public health personnel is vigilantly monitoring the situation and giving bits of advice to the healthcare provider. As a result, there must be measures in your doctor’s office or clinic to protect their staff and you as well.

What To Do If You Think You Have COVID-19?

As quickly as possible, isolate yourself and contact your local public health authority to find out how and where you can get assessed. Call ahead before going to any medical clinic or office. The sooner you can get references on how to lessen or improve your symptoms, the greater your chance of recovery.