COVID-19 and cardiovascular disease

Novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). ^₁

People with cardiovascular disease are more likely to get serious COVID-19 complications. They have a higher risk of needing to go to hospital, and of dying. ^{2 4,5}

COVID-19 can also make a person’s existing cardiovascular disease worse. ^{2, 4, 5}

What is the link between COVID-19 and cardiovascular disease?

• COVID-19 can affect the cardiovascular system in many ways, including widespread inflammation. ^1,4,5
• This can progress to lung injury, heart muscle injury, and impaired heart function. ^1,4,5
• In addition to cardiovascular disease, other health conditions are common in people hospitalised with COVID-19 and are associated with an increased risk of death. These conditions include: ^1-3
  • High blood pressure
  • Diabetes
  • Obesity
• COVID-19 can cause cardiovascular complications, including: ¹
  • Irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation) 
  • Heart failure
  • Blood clots in the legs and in the lungs
  • Heart attacks
  • Stroke

People who smoke also have an increased risk of developing severe illness from COVID-19.⁶

Read more, here.

Looking after your heart health

There are things you can do to look after your heart health. These are especially important if you have cardiovascular disease.

Get your annual flu vaccine

• It’s important for people with cardiovascular disease get their flu vaccination.
• The flu can trigger heart attacks. Getting the flu vaccine helps to prevent the flu and can help prevent heart attacks.
• By getting the flu vaccination, you can also help protect other people. This is especially important for people who are too sick or too young to be vaccinated.

Find out more about getting your flu vaccine, here.

Get your COVID-19 vaccine

• If you have cardiovascular disease, get your COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible.  This is because you are at higher risk of severe illness if you develop COVID-19. ⁷
• Having the vaccine means you are much less likely to become ill from COVID-19.
• While vaccines are showing to be highly effective at protecting people against serious illness from COVID-19, we’re still learning about how well they stop infection and transmission. It’s important you keep practicing simple precautions such as physical distancing, hand washing and wearing a mask when required.
• All vaccines available in Australia have been through a strict approval process. They meet the high safety and quality standards set by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. ⁸

Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines and how to book a vaccine appointment, here.

Stay connected with your doctor

• If you have cardiovascular disease, it’s important you stick to your current treatment plan.  This includes taking your medicines, such as medicines to manage blood pressure.
• Stay connected with your doctor as needed. Many health professionals offer some services via telehealth. This means you can have your usual appointment over the phone or video call.

Learn more about how to stay connected with your doctor, here.

Stay physically active

• Regular physical activity has many benefits for your health, both now and in the future.  
• Increasing your physical activity from as little as 10 minutes a day to the Australian Government’s recommended 30 to 45 minutes a day, five or more days of the week can help reduce your risk of heart disease and heart attacks.
• It can also prevent and manage many conditions and diseases, including some cancers, type 2 diabetes, and depression. 

Learn more about how you can stay active at home during COVID-19, here.

Eat a heart-healthy diet

• Eating a heart-healthy is one of the best things you can do for your heart health and to support your immune system.
• What you eat and drink impacts several heart disease risk factors, including:
  • Blood pressure
  • Cholesterol
  • Weight
  • Diabetes risk

Learn how you can focus on healthy eating during COVID-19, here.

Don’t ignore a medical emergency

• Your heart health matters and medical emergencies need urgent care. 
• Get medical help immediately if the symptoms of your heart condition become severe or become worse quickly. Don't delay getting help.
• Recognising the symptoms of a heart attack could save your life or the life of a loved one.

If you are experiencing the symptoms of a heart attack, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

Know the most common heart attack warning signs, here.

Look after your mental health

Almost 1 in 2 people reported feeling lonely in response to COVID-19 restrictions. ¹³

We know that feeling isolated or depressed can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. ^{14, 15}  We also know that people with cardiovascular disease are more likely to experience depression.¹⁵

BeyondBlue provide information and advice to help you look after your mental health. Trained counsellors are available 24/7 to speak with by calling 1800 512 348. Translating and interpreting services are available, as well as resources in languages other than English.

Learn more about BeyondBlue’s Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service and resources, here. 

Lifeline are a national charity providing all Australians experiencing emotional distress with access to 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.

Visit Lifeline to learn how you can be supported, here. 

Stop the spread to protect yourself and others

• There are things you can do to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.
• If you have cold or flu like symptoms you should seek medical advice and get tested for COVID-19, even if your symptoms are mild.
• Important ways to protect yourself include:
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water often
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue
  • Use alcohol-based sanitisers
  • Avoid touching your eyes nose and mouth
  • Practice physical distancing to limit close contact

Learn more about the symptoms of COVID-19 and how to protect yourself and others, here.

Where to go for trusted information

•  It’s important to use trusted sources of information to stay up to date about COVID-19 and vaccines.
• For updated information on COVID-19, vaccines, and local outbreak information. Visit the Department of Health's website, here. 
• Information is available in multiple languages.

You can also call the National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080 for information and advice about COVID-19 and vaccines. For translating and interpreting services call 131 450. 

Unsure if you are at risk of cardiovascular disease?

 Reducing your risk of cardiovascular disease starts with knowing your risk factors. This is so you can make positive behaviour changes.  Most heart attacks and strokes can be prevented with healthy choices.

For more information about your heart health, call our Helpline on 13 11 12 to speak with a health professional. The Helpline is free, apart from the cost of a local call.

The Helpline is open 8.30am to 5.30pm Australian Central Standard Time Monday to Friday, except public holidays.

Learn more about cardiovascular disease risk factors, here.

Further information:

COVID-19 Department of Health resources

• Learn about the symptoms of COVID-19, how to get tested and how to protect yourself and others, here. 
• Department of Health’s COVID-19 resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and remote communities, here. 

Information about COVID-19 vaccines

• Find out more about COVID-19 vaccines in Australia, here.
• Learn more about the vaccine approval process from the Therapeutic Goods Administration, here.