Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) advises patients who have high blood pressure to take extra precautions to avoid contracting coronavirus (COVID-19).

“We don’t yet fully understand why people with poor cardiovascular health and high blood pressure seem to be at higher risk for more severe illness from this virus, but what we do know is that COVID-19 puts a strain on the lungs and this also burdens the heart. For this reason, it is extra important that anyone who has poor cardiovascular health takes extra precautions,” said Dr. Mawahib Ali El Hassan, Acting Director of the Coronary Intensive Care Unit (CICU) at HMC Heart Hospital.

“COVID-19 is a new coronavirus, so we are still learning about its pathology, including how it attacks the body. Available data from China, where the virus originated, seems to indicate that individuals with cardiovascular disease and hypertension are among those who experienced worse outcomes. We strongly encourage people with these conditions to exercise a greater degree of prevention and protection,” added Dr. El Hassan.

أطباء القلب في حمد الطبية ينصحون مرضى ارتفاع ضغط الدم باتخاذ المزيد من التدابير الوقائية ضد فيروس كورونا (كوفيد – 19)https://t.co/PzJRKaaxDi

.#سلامتك_هي_سلامتي pic.twitter.com/OIyNwg4ORT

— مؤسسة حمد الطبية (@HMC_Qatar) May 2, 2020

Dr. El Hassan explains that high blood pressure means the heart must work harder to pump blood around the body. High blood pressure causes the arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the heart to lose their elasticity and narrow, which places individuals with the condition at an increased risk for a heart attack. Patients with high blood pressure should not panic, however, they should follow their doctor’s instructions and take extra precautions to prevent contracting the virus.

“It’s normal for people to feel concerned, especially if they have a preexisting medical condition. My advice for any patients with high blood pressure is to follow prevention guidelines around personal hygiene and social distancing, which includes avoiding places where they might encounter crowds, like busy grocery stores. They should also continue to follow whatever direction they have been given by their doctor, including taking any prescribed medications. It is also really important for people to ensure they are getting information about COVID-19 from reliable sources, like the Ministry of Public Health and the World Health Organization (WHO),” mentioned Dr. El Hassan.

Avoiding people who are sick, washing hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, avoiding touching the eyes, nose, and mouth with unclean hands, and by frequently cleaning surfaces which are touched often such as doorknobs, handles, steering wheels, light switches, and phones are some of the preventive measures.

For any queries, or concerns related to COVID-19 in Qatar, the public can contact a 24/7 hotline set up by the Ministry. The hotline number is 16000 and is toll-free.

Here's everything you need to know about the virus, including ways to protect yourself. 

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