New Delhi: The novel coronavirus has affected everyone across the world. However, the virus has been more serious and dangerous for people with pre-existing chronic diseases. Furthermore, the combination of COVID-19 and heart diseases has proven to be dangerous in more ways than one.
Dr. Nishith Chandra, Director, Interventional Cardiology, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, Okhla Road, New Delhi explains how.
COVID-19 worse for people with heart diseases
It has gotten worse during the ongoing pandemic for people suffering from cardiovascular diseases. Heart patients are living in fear of sudden death and serious infection.
In the last one year, we have seen an increase in the number of deaths due to cardiac arrest, post-Covid infection. During the second wave, one of the most common after-effects was sudden deaths due to cardiac arrest post COVID. Therefore, it was advised that people with a history of heart diseases should get themselves vaccinated. Although people believe in myths and misconceptions about COVID-19 vaccines, it is important, especially for heart patients, to get the vaccine shot.
Are COVID-19 vaccines safe for people with heart disease?
Some safety concerns or adverse reactions to COVID-19 vaccination that have arisen are Guillain-Barré syndrome, increased blood clotting, myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle), or anaphylaxis (acute allergic reaction to an antigen).
What has been documented, however, is that most of the side effects mentioned appear within weeks after vaccination, and not long after. It is further observed that the side-effects, which have consequent exposure, usually appear after one month of vaccination. Therefore, they can be managed well if diagnosed on time. There are no side effects that are seriously harmful to our health and wellbeing.
In addition, serious side effects associated with vaccines are on average less than those reported in the general population. For example, the risk of developing Guillain-Barré syndrome is 17 times more likely with common infections than with vaccines.
Additionally, reports suggest that COVID-19 vaccines are not only safe for people with heart diseases, but they are also very important. We are at a point where the risk of emerging types is increasing and heart patients being one of the most vulnerable populations in society need to get their vaccines as soon as possible.
Are COVID-19 vaccines safe for all age groups?
If one is still concerned about safety, it should be noted that vaccines are safe for all age groups. Earlier this year, the American Heart Association issued a statement urging everyone who met eligibility criteria to get their vaccination shots. The statement specifically referred to vaccinating people with cardiovascular risk factors, heart diseases, and heart attack and stroke survivors as early as possible because they are at greater risk from the virus than the vaccine itself.
What are the common side effects of COVID-19 vaccines?
Some of the common effects to be noticed after vaccination are fever, fatigue, headache and joint pain. Additionally, pain at the injection site may also be observed. Whether a person is healthy or suffering from pre-existing heart disease, these side effects from the vaccine will be the same in everyone. As a heart patient, the symptoms will not differ from others. However, it is always advisable to consult your doctor and get regular check-ups done even after vaccination.
It is most important to note that whether a person is healthy or has heart disease, getting vaccinated does not mean that a person is safe from getting infected with the virus. Vaccination reduces the chances of hospitalization; However, with the emergence of new forms, there has been an increase in the cases of breakthrough infection in the present time. Therefore it is very important to maintain physical distance, wear masks, maintain hand hygiene and stay at home.
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