This month we celebrate the 60th annual American Heart Month, raising awareness of cardiovascular disease. Due to COVID, the annual Heart Ball has been delayed until May. However, the annual Wear Red Day will still be held Feb. 5, 2021, so pull out your red socks, ties and shirts.
In a conventional year, heart disease and stroke account for one-third of all deaths – higher than all cancers combined. Raising awareness is especially important since 80 percent of heart disease is preventable, including smoking cessation, eating a healthy diet and exercise.
But this year is different. Very different. Clearly, the most relevant risk to our health in 2021 remains COVID. There were early warnings about the virus’ effects on our lungs, but we now understand that COVID affects our hearts and vascular systems as well – in ways we still do not fully grasp.
COVID can directly infect the heart, mimicking a heart attack as well as causing blood clots, which can travel to the brain or lungs, leading to life-threatening complications.
Patients describe fast heartbeats, lightheadedness, fatigue and forgetfulness. These patients are referred to as “long-haulers” because symptoms can last many months after the initial infection, and some have yet to recover. Treatment of this syndrome remains quite elusive.
We are fortunate to live in a beautiful city where we can walk, jog and bike outdoors, keeping our New Year’s resolutions to work on healthy habits preventing the traditional causes of heart disease. We also can stay socially distanced and prevent the spread of COVID.
Praying with you for a healthy 2021,
David A. Sandler, MD
Dr. Sandler is the director of the heart rhythm service at Oklahoma Heart Institute. He is the section chief of cardiology at Hillcrest Medical Center and the past president of the board of directors for the Tulsa chapter of the American Heart Association.
