City Of Louisville: Louisville Cardiologists Discuss The Impacts Of COVID-19 On The Heart

Louisville KY

09 February, 2022

5:23 PM

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Press release from the City of Louisville: February 08, 2022 Call the LOU HEALTH helpline 502-912-8598.  Look for this logo in the lower right corner on every page and click it. Mayor Greg Fischer was joined by Dr. Sarah Moyer, director of the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness (LMPHW); Dr. Kelly McCants, advanced heart failure specialist with Norton Heart & Vascular Institute's Advanced Heart Failure & Recovery Program and executive director of the Institute for Health Equity, a part of Norton Healthcare; and Dr. Dinesh Kalra, cardiologist and chief of the division of cardiology at UofL Health, to provide an update on COVID-19 and its effects on heart health. Mayor Greg Fischer was joined by Dr. Sarah Moyer, director of the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness (LMPHW); Dr. Kelly McCants, advanced heart failure specialist with Norton Heart & Vascular Institute's Advanced Heart Failure & Recovery Program and executive director of the Institute for Health Equity, a part of Norton Healthcare; and Dr. Dinesh Kalra, cardiologist and chief of the division of cardiology at UofL Health, to provide an update on COVID-19 and its effects on heart health. "We continue to see signs of the downward side of the record-breaking surge," Mayor Fischer said. "That being said, we still have significantly high cases in the hospital and the ICU." "We continue to see signs of the downward side of the record-breaking surge," Mayor Fischer said. "That being said, we still have significantly high cases in the hospital and the ICU." The Mayor said although people are ready to be done with the virus, it does not appear to be done with the community. The Mayor said although people are ready to be done with the virus, it does not appear to be done with the community. "The virus is still very much with us, and it's going to be impacting our lives for quite some time whether it's endemic," he said. "But we have to keep in mind that we have tools to minimize our risk of contracting the virus and developing a serious illness. The tools, as we all know, are the vaccines. It's been proven they are safe and effective." "The virus is still very much with us, and it's going to be impacting our lives for quite some time whether it's endemic," he said. "But we have to keep in mind that we have tools to minimize our risk of contracting the virus and developing a serious illness. The tools, as we all know, are the vaccines. It's been proven they are safe and effective." Here are the key COVID-19 data metrics for Feb. 8, 2022: Here are the key COVID-19 data metrics for Feb. 8, 2022: Hospitalization data: Hospitalization data: Vaccines: Vaccines: Dr. Moyer said as case counts have gone down, so have vaccination rates. Dr. Moyer said as case counts have gone down, so have vaccination rates. "We know with omicron, we really need that booster dose to prevent infection, hospitalization and death," she said. "It's never too late to get vaccinated or boosted." "We know with omicron, we really need that booster dose to prevent infection, hospitalization and death," she said. "It's never too late to get vaccinated or boosted." Dr. Moyer showed that the Jefferson County incidence rate map is still red, and some communities have a higher infection rate than others. "According to our wastewater data, those areas that are darker are also areas where people aren't getting tested as often as needed. So, if you live in one of those darker areas and you've been hanging out with other people, especially if you have not been vaccinated yet, please consider getting tested this week to know your status, especially if you're going to be hanging out with others this weekend for the Super Bowl," Dr. Moyer said. State and local health leaders recommend the following if you plan on gathering with others for the Super Bowl: COVID-19 effects on heart health During American Heart Month, Louisville cardiologists explained how COVID-19 has impacted one of the body's most vital organs. "Early on, what we saw is that if you have significant risk factors including hypertension, diabetes that you were more likely to contract COVID and then your outcomes were worse. That still holds true," Dr. McCants said. Even though not every person who is infected with COVID will develop a cardiac issue, there is a risk, he said. Dr. Kalra said there are three areas in which COVID-19 can affect the heart. He explained the virus can cause clots to form in the body, and those clots can lead to small heart attacks. COVID can also cause an irregular heartbeat and damage the heart muscle, he said. "The numbers have shown if you're vaccinated, your chance of getting a permanent, long-lasting heart problem is about 1 in 10,000 and if you're not vaccinated it's about 1 in 1,000," Dr. Kalra said. "The numbers are small, but once you get COVID it definitely can affect the heart." Dr. McCants addressed concerns over heart complications associated with young adults getting vaccinated. "From what we've seen that is still pretty rare," Dr. McCants said. "I can tell you out of the 7,000 patients that we encounter in our heart failure program, I have yet to take care of someone that had a vaccine-related cardiomyopathy." Doctors also recognized health disparities when it comes to heart health. "People who are underprivileged, minorities, older individuals, homeless people, they have far more heart complications and overall complications when they get COVID," Dr. Kalra said. "So, we are focusing on efforts to get these people vaccinated and get them to the hospital for medical care sooner." Medical professionals said you should listen carefully to your body and seek medical help if you're experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath, lower extremity swelling, rapid heartbeat and chest pain. View this week's COVID-19 briefing with public health officials here. # # #   The city's COVID-19 data dashboard, a complete list of COVID-19 testing sites, vaccine information, prevention and more can be found at www.louisville.gov/covid19. The LOU HEALTH COVID19 Helpline is also available: 502-912-8598.   Enter required fields How do you want to be reminded? 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