Pawan Kumar Â
Lucknow, 2 October: In this Covid-19 pandemic, Cardio patients are more vulnerable to Sars-CoV-2, the virus that causes the coronavirus disease (Covid-19). Â
Cases of cardiac patients reporting Pulmonary Distress Syndrome and swelling in arteries due to Covid-19 are being reported in hospitals across the city.
Among all diseases, around 35 percent of deaths in India are due to heart ailments. The Covid-19 pandemic has made the situation even more worrisome for heart patients.
Cardiologist Dr Manish Jha advises cardiac patients to be more vigilant and careful till the pandemic subsides.
At SKD Hospital, Dr Jha regularly comes across septuagenarian heart patients in this Covid-19 pandemic. For them, he offers simple advice- be vigilant, maintain social distancing, wear marks, avoid going out and do not skip for medicines.
Questions:  How fatal Sars-CoV-2 virus is for heart patients?
Answer: There is no doubt that coronavirus is more fatal for cardiac patients. As compared to other patients, this virus is more fatal for heart patients. Cardiac patients above the age of 60 years need to be more careful.
However, there is no need to panic. Simple steps like social distancing, washing of hands properly, wearing a mask can help keep heart patients safe. Avoid going out unless necessary.
Question: Any new study during this Covid-19 phase related with heart disease?
Answer: We have found a high Troponin level in Covid-19 patients. It is an indicator of heart ailment. Initially, we took such people as cardiac patients. But after thorough research, we found that Troponin level increases in patients afflicted with Sars-CoV-2 virus. But when cardiac related tests were carried out on such patients, their heart was found to be normal.
In medical parlance we say, ‘Covid-19 mimics heart attack’.
Questions: Any specific medicine for heart patients to ward off coronavirus ?
Answer: Cardiac patients must not skip their regular medicines, especially blood thinners. Asymptomatic covid-19 patients who are also cardiac patients can take one dose of Ivermectin 12 mg, while, symptomatic patients can take this medicine after consulting their doctor.
Question: Why are massive cardiac arrest cases being reported among young, especially people in their 40s ?
Answer: In some cases there can be genetic reasons. But in most of the cases, sedentary lifestyle, lack of physical activity and hypertension leads to such cases of cardiac arrest.
Regular checkup of blood pressure is must to avoid sudden cardiac arrest. Even high blood pressure can trigger cardiac arrest. It is advisable to take medicine to control blood pressure level if a doctor recommends.
Question: What exercise do you recommend for people to keep their heart healthy?
Answer: Brisk walking for 75 minutes in a week or normal walk for 150 minutes in a week is recommended among other exercises depending on the person’s age and health.
Question: Any suggestion for the younger generation to keep the heart healthy?
Answer: Regular exercise and avoid smoking.
Question: There is a belief that women are less susceptible to heart disease as compared to men?
Answer: This is not completely true. Women in pre-menopause stage are less vulnerable to heart ailment as compared to men. But women at post-menopause sage are equally vulnerable to cardiac related ailments as men.
