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According to the Federal Centers for Medicare & Medical Services (CMS) data, seven chronic diseases diagnosed in seniors significantly increase the risk of hospitalization due to COVID-19. It is worth knowing about it, especially before we decide to visit our closest seniors.
- Among patients hospitalized due to COVID-19, as much as 80 percent. was diagnosed with hypertension
- The risk of hospitalization due to COVID-19 in people over 65 is also increased by chronic diseases such as hyperlipidemia, diabetes and ischemic heart disease
- You can find more up-to-date information on the TvoiLokony home page
Diseases that increase the risk of hospitalization for COVID-19 in seniors
Centers for Medicare & Medical Services (CMS) analyzed the data of its beneficiaries. From the beginning of the year to September 12, almost 19 million of them were diagnosed with COVID-1,2. Over 322 thousand were hospitalized due to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.
The most common chronic diseases in patients who had to go to hospital due to COVID-19 include:
- hypertension (80% hospitalized)
- hyperlipidemia (62%)
- chronic kidney disease (51%)
- diabetes (50%)
- anemia (48%)
- ischemic heart disease (46%)
- rheumatoid arthritis / osteoarthritis (46%)
Among hospitalized patients, 21% died, and 32 percent. was discharged home. The rest were transferred to qualified nursing facilities, home health care facilities, hospices or other health care facilities. About half of hospital stays were less than eight days. 12 percent stays lasted at least 21 days.
Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people age 65+ or people with certain disabilities.
See also: Who is less likely to get COVID-19 infection? The Six Factors [EXPLAINED]
Chronic diseases increase the risk of severe COVID-19
Medicare’s observations are in line with what the National Health Service (NHS), the British equivalent of our National Health Fund, writes about risk factors for severe COVID-19.
Chronic diseases such as diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease, and cardiovascular disease are among the moderate factors that increase the risk of a severe course of COVID-19 following SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection.
People with hypertension should also be careful about SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection. According to Medicare, as much as 80 percent. hospitalized patients had hypertension. Meanwhile, international studies show that hypertensive patients are twice as likely to die from COVID-19 than those whose blood pressure is normal.
The editorial board recommends:
- Koronasomnia, or insomnia in the times of COVID-19. A new phenomenon is becoming more and more common
- Nebulization during an epidemic. The doctor warns: in the current situation it is a dangerous form of administering drugs
- Nutritional mistakes that weaken immunity. What to avoid in times of coronavirus?
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