North Ridgeville Review The Community That Cares
John Coletta, MD, Chairman, Department of Cardiology, University Hospitals Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute at UH St. John Medical Center, today shares insights on COVID-19 and its relation to heart patients.
“We know there is a connection with the body’s response to the infection and strain on the heart. There is evidence of irritation or strain and inflammation to the heart muscle,” he reports. “But we don’t understand the full depth of the connection. We’re all still learning. It’s still too new. As a cardiovascular community we are collaborating with colleagues internationally receiving and sharing findings around the world.”
Does underlying heart disease put someone more at risk for getting the virus?
“We are all at an unknown risk for developing COVID-19,” says Dr. Coletta. “We are all asked to take measures to decrease the risk of transmission, whether we have heart disease or not. We haven’t seen that underlying heart disease has shown a specific increase in the risk of getting COVID-19. For people coming to hospitals with severe infections, those that have underlying heart disease tend to do worse than those without. It is important for people with heart disease in any form to take extra care to protect themselves and the people they are around so the infection doesn’t come to them.”
Physical Distancing
Stay safe. “Unfortunately, the only thing we have in our tool box right now is to distance physically,” says Dr. Coletta. “But not socially. We have to remember there is an increased risk of depression and other issues that cardiac patients have that we can’t ignore. We have to emphasize that we need to cultivate our socialization but decrease our physical contact at the same time.
“Texts, Facetime, video conferencing – all those things we hear about. A large number of heart patients tend to be older, but I’ve been very surprised at how willing people have been at adapting to technology, especially if that is one their only means of communication. They get good at it pretty fast. At a minimum we all have a phone, even if it is just picking it up and dialing.”
Doctors are Available
Your doctor’s office is open. “Your doctors are available. Although a lot of places have shut down or slowed down temporarily, physician offices have not,” says Dr. Coletta. “If there are any questions or concerns, reach out to your physician’s office. We are seeing patients physically in a limited way to reduce exposure. We are doing a lot of virtual visits, phone visits, phone conversations. We are here for our patients. We are here for guidance and support and also the routine maintenance of their disease.”
What about the Hospital?
“We are not telling people not to come to the hospital. If they are having any signs or symptoms that are concerning them and they would normally go to the hospital for such a concern, I would advise them to go,” says Dr. Coletta. “Hospitals across the communities are doing everything they can to protect the patients and the providers from this virus. We don’t want patients to neglect signs like chest pain, shortness of breath, light-headedness or passing out. Any signs or symptoms of heart attack or stroke, we want them to come and we will help them decide whether they need to be here or discharged and see their doctor.”
“There are probably 50 different reasons why people are afraid to come to the hospital, from what they see on TV or not understanding the message that says if you don’t need to come to the hospital try not to.” But, Dr. Coletta says, “Keep your appointments. I would urge all patients to call your provider’s office. If there is any confusion, call the office. Get your medications renewed. All the providers understand what’s happening and are trying to accommodate all patients in this new era of medicine.”
“Cardiac procedures were deemed essential during the pandemic, so we have been doing them all along. We recently opened up and are now doing more of the non-essential procedures. Almost the whole range of procedures at UH St. John Medical Center is available for patients at this time.”
For cardiac emergencies or stroke, please dial 911. For non-emergent cardiovascular questions or concerns, please contact your physician or other health care provider. For information about UH Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute at UH St. John Medical Center, visit our site.
