Top Advice from the American Heart Association

The virus’s main target is the lungs. But that could affect the heart, especially a diseased heart, which has to work harder to get oxygenated blood throughout the body, said Vardeny, an adviser on the ACC bulletin. “In general, you can think of it as something that is taxing the system as a whole.” That could exacerbate problems for someone with heart failure, where the heart is already having problems pumping efficiently. Someone with an underlying heart issue also might have a less robust immune system. People’s immune systems weaken as they age, Vardeny said. And “in those with chronic medical conditions, the body’s immune response is not as strong a response when exposed to viruses.” If such a person catches a virus, she said, it’s likely to stick around and cause complications. A virus also may pose a special risk for people who have the fatty buildup known as plaque in their arteries, Vardeny said. Evidence indicates similar viral illnesses can destabilize these plaques, potentially resulting in the blockage of an artery feeding blood to the heart, putting patients at risk of heart attack. The ACC bulletin recommends people with cardiovascular disease stay up to date with vaccinations, including for pneumonia. The ACC also supports getting a flu shot to prevent another source of fever, which could potentially be confused with the coronavirus infection. Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, warned in a February news conference – before confirmed cases spread nationwide – that residents needed to prepare. Her agency is part of the CDC. Messonnier summed up her advice as, “Stay home if you’re sick; cover your cough; wash your hands.” Here are some ideas to use at home for whole-body health, create an at home circuit workout. Select three or four exercises you can do at home like jumping jacks, lunges or jogging in place. Do each exercise in short bursts and repeat the circuit two to three times. Use shelf stable ingredients to cook heart-healthy meals. Canned, frozen and dried fruits and vegetables, frozen meat and dried grains are great shelf-stable options to have on hand for recipes. Try this Vegetarian 3-Bean Chili or Slow Cooker Barbecue Chicken to start.  Fight stress. An unexpected change in circumstance is stressful. Use the additional time at home as an opportunity to take action against stress. Take a few minutes each day to meditate, improve your sleep, hygiene for more restful sleep and call friends and family to stay socially connected. Since changes in routine can be stressful, it will be helpful to talk with your kids about why they are staying home and what your daily structure will be during this time. Let them help create a daily schedule that can hang on to somewhere they can see it each day. Be sure to include breaks from telework or schoolwork to relax and connect with each other. Here are some ideas to help you create a daily schedule: Wake up, get dressed and have breakfast at the normal time. Decide where everyone can do their work most effectively and without distractions. List the times for learning, exercise and breaks. For younger children, 20 minutes of class assignments followed by 10 minutes of physical activity might work well. Older children and teens may be able to focus on assignments for longer stretches, taking breaks between subjects. Include your hours as well, so your children know when the work day is done. Schedule time for nutritious lunches and snacks. Many schools are providing take-home school meal packages for students who need them. Don’t forget afternoon breaks as well! Have dinner together as a family and discuss the day. Enjoy more family time in the evenings, playing, reading, watching a movie or exercising together. Stick with normal bedtime routines as much as possible during the week to make sure everyone gets enough sleep.