Contact: Nicole Napoli, nnapoli@acc.org, 202-375-6523

WASHINGTON (Sep 30, 2020) -

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to plague communities across the country, with cardiovascular disease patients and those with other chronic conditions experiencing worse outcomes. With flu season rapidly approaching, the American College of Cardiology has issued five simple guidelines for ensuring heart disease patients stay healthy.

“Heart disease patients bear a greater burden during the pandemic since they are having to navigate managing their heart health while also protecting themselves from COVID-19 as they are at increased risk of serious complications,” said ACC President Athena Poppas, MD, FACC. “The ACC has worked with experts around the world to assess best treatment practices, and the consensus on how to protect heart disease patients comes down to several simple, easy to follow steps.”

1. Wear a mask, keep a safe distance from others, wash your hands
   
   
2. Get a flu shot – contact your clinician or pharmacy today
   
   
3. Speak up and don’t wait to get care – Keep your appointments and call if you notice something new or worse with your health. If you think that you may be having a heart attack or stroke, dial 911 immediately.
   
   
4. Keep a supply of your medicines handy – Let your care team know if you need help with your medications.
   
   
5. Stay active and stay calm – Regular exercise can help keep your heart healthy and manage stress.

“We hope that the near future will bring progress against COVID-19, but right now, these actions go a long way in keeping heart disease patients healthy and safe,” Poppas said.

View the Fall Heart Health Tips patient infographic.

 

The ACC has also developed recommendations to guide clinicians when working with patients this fall that will help encourage patients to abide by the above recommendations. View the clinician infographic. View the full clinician statement.   

The American College of Cardiology envisions a world where innovation and knowledge optimize cardiovascular care and outcomes. As the professional home for the entire cardiovascular care team, the mission of the College and its 54,000 members is to transform cardiovascular care and to improve heart health. The ACC bestows credentials upon cardiovascular professionals who meet stringent qualifications and leads in the formation of health policy, standards and guidelines. The College also provides professional medical education, disseminates cardiovascular research through its world-renowned JACC Journals, operates national registries to measure and improve care, and offers cardiovascular accreditation to hospitals and institutions. For more, visit acc.org.

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