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The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus is especially dangerous for people at risk. Much is said about the threat to seniors, but also to the sick. Chronic diseases affect people of all ages and can cause COVID-19 disease to become severe. What diseases make the disease more severe?
The problem with heart disease and coronavirus infection is primarily caused by overstraining the body when the two conditions occur simultaneously. In many cases, heart conditions are associated with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. They can also coexist with lung diseases. All these diseases affect the general condition of the patient, including his resistance to viral infections.
How the disease COVID-19 affects a person struggling with cardiological problems? One of the common symptoms, i.e. fever, is the problem. An increase in body temperature increases metabolism, and thus increases oxygen consumption, putting additional strain on the heart. If COVID-19 affects the lungs and causes inflammation, it will make it much more difficult to get enough oxygen into the blood. The inflammation caused by infection with the coronavirus can also damage the lining of blood vessels.
Because increased risk of severe COVID-19 people with cardiovascular diseases should take special care of themselves during the coronavirus threat. You should follow the recommendations related to limiting contacts with other people, and also take care of a diet and – if possible – practice physical activity appropriate to the state of health.
People with chronic conditions should consider the risk of having to undergo quarantine. In such a situation, it is important that patients have access to a sufficient supply of regularly taken medications or that they learn about prescription medications without leaving home. This is possible thanks to online medical advice and e-prescriptions.
Check: Online medical advice at the National Health Fund. Where to call?
Coronavirus infection can lead to acute interstitial pneumonia, which is why patients with chronic respiratory diseases are particularly at risk from the dangerous complications of COVID-19 disease. Patients with pulmonary hypertension, moderate or severe asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) should be especially careful.
People diagnosed with lung or respiratory diseases should follow general recommendations related to the coronavirus outbreak. In these cases, COVID-19 ingestion may favor the onset of severe symptoms, cause pneumonia, or cause acute respiratory failure.
Read more: Coronavirus causes acute interstitial pneumonia. Conversation with a pulmonologist
People with diabetes are exposed to many negative health effects of the disease, and because of their lowered immunity, they are also susceptible to other diseases, including viral infections. Coronavirus infection can put a strain on the body and thus cause an increase in blood glucose levels. Diabetes is also conducive to the development of inflammation, which in the case of coronavirus means a greater risk of pneumonia.
High blood glucose levels can encourage the multiplication of viruses.
Other risk factors that increase susceptibility to infections are also associated with decreased immunity. The circumstances that lead to such a state of susceptibility to coronavirus infections mentioned by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) are:
- treatment of neoplastic diseases;
- organ and bone marrow transplants;
- inadequately controlled cases of HIV and AIDS;
- long-term use of corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs.
CDC also includes obese people (especially morbid obesity, i.e. in the case of BMI over 40), as well as those suffering from kidney failure and liver diseases.
The editorial board recommends:
- Overweight and obesity and the coronavirus. Report from Great Britain
- Coverage of the COVID-19 coronavirus [MAP]
- How to protect seniors from the coronavirus?
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