May is American Stroke Month — an observance with increasing COVID-19 resonance
The current COVID-19 crisis is a rapidly changing situation, and we encourage you to check the links below for up-to-date information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association.
Current research suggests that older adults with heart disease are at higher risk of COVID-19 infection — and that stroke survivors face a higher risk of complications from the disease. If you or your loved ones have a history of heart disease or stroke, we urge you to do everything possible to avoid exposure. Please follow the full CDC list of recommended precautions: self-isolate or practice rigorous social distancing, wash your hands with soap and water for a full 20 seconds, clean surfaces diligently and — a recent addition — wear a mask or cloth face covering while shopping or in other public places.
In addition, it is important that you continue taking all your medications as prescribed, including ACE inhibitors and ARBs. The American Stroke Association reports that these medications do not increase your risk of contracting COVID-19. If you are diagnosed with COVID-19, you should be fully evaluated by your doctor before adding or removing such medications as your overall condition is also an important factor in your body’s ability to resist the disease.
Stroke patients in rehabilitation should contact their rehab centers to see if treatments are still available. If not, please talk to your doctor and visit the American Stroke Association link below for access to their entire library of at-home stroke rehabilitation exercise videos. The American Heart Association also provides access to a support network where you or your loved ones can chat online with others who are facing the same threats and following the same precautions.
If you need even more of a support network, remember that the compassionate caregivers from Overture are always here to help. Contact us 24/7 for a free assessment to better determine your family’s needs: (817) 887-9401.
Sources / Resources:
CDC Coronavirus Information page https://www.coronavirus.gov/
CDC How to Protect Yourself & Others page https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html
American Stroke Association Coronavirus Questions page https://www.stroke.org/en/coronavirus/coronavirus-questions
American Stroke Association Post Stroke Exercise Videos https://www.stroke.org/en/help-and-support/resource-library/post-stroke-exercise-videos
Join the American Heart Association Support Network https://supportnetwork.heart.org/