Have a Plan
Select a friend or family member who you can act as your emergency contact. They should have a list of your medications and why you take them as well as phone numbers of your doctors, pharmacy and insurance provider. You should have enough insulin or tablets for at least a week ahead in the event you are sick or unable to go in for a refill. It might be best to ask your doctor to send a three-month refill of your medication, so you don’t have to leave your home. You should also have extra supplies like alcohol wipes, lancets, needles and testing strips.
Keep your diabetes under control
If your blood sugars are under good control, your risk decreases to that of an individual without diabetes. Make sure you are checking your blood sugar regularly, so you know what your numbers are. Stay away from foods high in carbohydrates which will increase your blood sugar and still exercise if you are able to.
Heart Disease
Early reports showed 40% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients had serious heart conditions such as heart failure, coronary artery disease and congenital heart disease. There are many reasons why people with underlying heart disease are more likely to develop more severe symptoms.
When the lungs are affected by the virus, the heart must work harder to get oxygen to the body’s tissues. This can worsen the situation in someone with heart failure whose heart is already not pumping efficiently. Viral illnesses such as COVID-19 also raise the risk of a heart attack in people who have plaque build up in their blood vessels by causing this plaque to break off and block the arteries that supply the heart. Finally, people with heart disease may have a weakened immune system making them more susceptible to infections.
Actions to Take
You should continue to take your medications as prescribed for your heart failure or hypertension. Initially it was believed that ACE- inhibitors and Angiotensin-II receptor blockers (ARB) were harmful but this was not proven. You should also make sure you have at least a 2-week supply of your medications.
Dr. Kelly N. Wood, MD is an internal medicine physician, board-certified in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism. Dr. Kelly is currently in clinical practice in Atlanta, Georgia.
Through a multi-dimensional platform that addresses the mind, body, and spirit, Dr. Kelly lives out her passion to help others achieve total wellness and lead a balanced life. She makes expert health and wellness advice accessible to all through speaking engagements, media appearances, her Facebook show, and personal blog (drkellywoodmd.com).
Beyond the stethoscope, Dr. Kelly is recognized as “The Bounce Back Coach,” helping high-performing women overcome past hurt to have a healthy and happy relationship. Her debut book, “Bounce Back to Better: Recovering from the Disappointment of a Failed Relationship,” walks readers through her personal journey of reconstructing her life after her engagement ended.
Please connect with Dr. Kelly at [email protected]