Show Menu
Duval: (904) 423-0010 St. Johns: (904) 342-8300 Clay: (904) 375-8100 Flagler: (386) 446-9966 Cath Lab: (904) 312-9810

COVID 19 and Cardiovascular health

A message from our cardiologists regarding COVID19 and your heart.

The physicians at First Coast Heart wanted to take this opportunity to educate our patients about COVID 19 and Heart disease.

COVID 19 is predominantly a respiratory illness but can also cause serious cardiovascular illness. People with heart disease and stroke are extremely at high risk for getting the COVID 19 infection and have serious illness. Preliminary data reports that COVID 19 causes damage to heart muscle by causing inflammation called Myocarditis. It does increase the risk of fatal heart rhythm issues.

It is not just a FLU INFECTION. The flu vaccine does not protect against COVID 19 infection. We do not have any vaccine for the corona virus yet. We can take simple day to day precautions to prevent this infection. Please follow CDC recommendations — wash hands, clean and sanitize surfaces, avoid sharing personal household items, and most importantly practice social distancing.

Following a healthy routine is especially important now that we are spending more time at home.

– Please take your medications regularly.

– Follow healthy, low salt diet

– Do not neglect exercise. If you are unable to go to the GYM for exercise, try to do some aerobic exercises at home. Go for a walk or bike ride. Sedentary behavior also increases cardiac risk.

– Monitor for cardiac symptoms (Chest pain, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, Palpitations/ fluttering in chest, leg swelling and excessive fatigue) . 

 If you notice trouble breathing with cough, worsening shortness of breath, chest pain, mental changes like confusion, please call us or Call 911 depending on the severity of the issue.

Thank you for visiting!

Did you find what you were looking for?

Please contact us at 904-342-8300 to find out more about our practice
or to schedule an appointment with any of our cardiologists.