After a year of pandemic-delayed medical check-ups and treatments, it’s time to get back into a good health care regimen.
Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 and paying a visit to the doctor is a good starting point, according to the American Heart Association.
It might be time for a check-up, especially if you have any underlying health conditions, such as diabetes.
Also, getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is one of the most important things we can do to protect ourselves and our loved ones from the virus, which has now killed more than half a million Americans.
More than 20% of Hoosiers reported delaying or not getting medical care in the past four weeks because of the pandemic, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s latest Household Pulse Survey.
The survey, which included 63,231 adults in the United States and was conducted between March 17 and 29, serves as yet another indicator of how the pandemic may be negatively impacting people’s future health.
“In the year since the pandemic was first declared, we’ve seen some concerning trends,” Dr. William Gill, president of the Indianapolis American Heart Association board of directors said. “People have been hesitant or unable to get in to see their health care providers.”
That has been the case for urgent issues, like heart attack and stroke symptoms, for routine physicals and health check-ups to manage conditions, like high blood pressure and heart disease.
Gill said during the year-long quarantine and isolation, stress also has become a part of everyday life.
“Many people have taken up unhealthy behaviors, such as lack of exercise, overeating/poor diets and increased alcohol and tobacco use,” Gill said. “In the long run, those lifestyle changes can increase your risk for heart disease and stroke.”
Heart disease and stroke risk factors also can be bad news if you get COVID-19.
A recent scientific study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, found obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes and heart failure were four of the top risks for COVID-19 complications.
Some very severe and long-lasting complications from COVID itself have been related to the heart and brain.
Gill said working with your doctor is the best way to modify or manage your risks for heart disease and stroke through lifestyle changes or by medications.
The No. 1 way for people at high risk and for all adults to protect themselves and their loved ones from COVID-19 is to get the vaccine.
“It’s OK to take whichever vaccine is available to you as soon as it’s available to you,” Gill said. “Studies have shown the vaccines are safe and effective for all adults.”
That includes people with existing medical conditions, like heart disease, as well as for people of color, all of whom were part of the large participant groups in the vigorous scientific research conducted to test the vaccines.
Gill said health care professionals have plans to keep you and medical staff safe, even during a pandemic. But if you are uncomfortable or unable to visit your doctor’s office in person, there are still ways you can connect.
Telemedicine can offer an alternative to skipping those important check-ups. Video chats through platforms like FaceTime or Zoom can connect you and your doctor face to face and voice to voice for a personalized visit.
Dr. Ryan Stone, chief medical officer for Schneck Medical Center in Seymour, said the vaccine is the answer to our prayers of the last year as health care providers and scientists have researched the best treatments for COVID.
“The vaccines are a safe injection that activates your body’s natural immune response to provide needed protection against severe effects of COVID,” Stone said.
He said over the last year when not much was known about the virus, it seemed appropriate to delay nonurgent medical care.
“However, at this time, we now know much more about the virus, how to decrease its spread and now have a highly effective vaccine to protect patients and providers alike,” Stone said.
People now can and should re-engage in their active medical care, including yearly physicals and other preventive health measures, like mammograms and colonoscopies.
“The longer we delay preventive health measures, there is increased risk of undiagnosed or untreated medical problems that may lead to major health issues and complications,” Stone said.
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To learn more about how to get healthy, stay healthy and protect yourself and your family from COVID-19, visit heart.org/pandemic.
To learn more about the American Heart Association, visit heart.org.
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