Dr. Manesh Patel, a cardiologist at Duke University, recommends anyone with or without cardiovascular disease get the COVID-19 vaccine. He stresses that vaccines have been studied in Black Americans and proven to be safe. In December 2020, the National Medical Association (NMA), a professional society of Black U.S. doctors committed to health equality and justice, endorsed the FDA’s emergency authorization of the Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines. Although you may experience side effects like a fever, fatigue, or injection site pain, these are not cause for concern. More serious adverse reactions are much rarer.
“Personally, I recommend the COVID vaccine for my patients, for my family members, for everyone with cardiovascular disease and those without it,” Patel said. “It is one of the few things people can do, especially people of color, to reduce their risk of bad things happening to themselves or their loved ones.”
People with heart conditions such as heart failure and coronary artery disease are at increased risk for hospitalization including intensive care, respiratory support, and death due to COVID-19. Other cardiovascular diseases including hypertension and a history of stroke might increase a person’s of server illness from COVID-19. In addition, the virus can target the heart causing damage in people, even when symptoms are not severe.
Racial minorities including Black Americans are more likely to be affected by COVID-19 due to a higher prevalence of underlying health conditions such as uncontrolled high blood pressure and diabetes. Black Americans are also more likely to die from heart disease. Poor access to health care and other longstanding socioeconomic issues also play a role.
People with heart conditions or disease are encouraged to continue exercising regularly, take medications as directed, attend scheduled medical appointments, and seek additional care when needed. The risk of exposure to the virus is much lower than the risk of dying from a heart attack or stroke, according to Patel. “We are here to help you and make sure that you keep your heart healthy.”
Read more at Duke Health.
All people working in healthcare are invited to join the HERO Registry, a community of healthcare workers who share what is like to live and work in the pandemic.