10 helpful tips for heart rhythm patients as the COVID-19 pandemic continues
Patients with heart rhythm disorders are not more likely to get COVID-19. The ongoing pandemic has been stressful, however, and anyone with such a disorder may face additional challenges.
A new analysis in Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology explored some specific things hearty rhythm disorder patients should know.
For instance, the team emphasized, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be taken to reduce inflammation, pain or fever—but they shouldn’t be taken too frequently.
Also, if a patient receives a single shock from their implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), but no other symptoms, the authors recommend just reaching out to their doctor. If a patient receives a second shock within 24 hours or symptoms get worse, on the other hand, the patient should seek immediate help.
In addition, the authors looked at 10 different ways patients with heart rhythm disorders can “maintain a healthy lifestyle and manage stress” as the pandemic continues:
1. Stay informed.
Getting news from reliable sources — not exclusively your distant cousin on Facebook, for example — can work wonders for a person’s mental health.
2. Take breaks from the news — and social media — to avoid fear or anxiety.
3. Know the symptoms of your heart condition and have a plan for contacting a healthcare provider.
“If you have new or worsening heart symptoms, your provider may want you to be seen in person,” wrote lead author Lindsey Rosman, PhD, a cardiologist at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and colleagues. “Hospitals and clinics are taking extra steps to protect your health during in-person visits, such as scheduling additional time between appointments to limit contact with other patients, requiring masks, and allowing you to stay in your car until they are ready to take you directly to an exam room.”
Patients should call 911 immediately if they believe they are having a heart attack or stroke, the authors added.
4. Manage your medications.
“In times of stress, it can be easy to forget to take your medications,” the team wrote. “Write out a medication schedule or use a smartphone app or pillbox.”
5. Take care of your body.
This includes getting a good amount of sleep and avoiding drugs and alcohol. Limit “caffeine, sweets, and sugar-sweetened beverages.”
6. Be active at home.
7. Relax and recharge.
8. Focus on the thigs you can control.
“Changes to daily routines, fear, uncertainty, and isolation can make your life feel out of control and make it unclear what to do,” the team wrote. “Take charge of your life by focusing on the things in your life that you can control.”
9. Connect with others.
10. One tip specifically for caregivers: Take care of your own health as well.
The full analysis from Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology can be read here.
Michael has more than 18 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.