Heart Failure Awareness 365 News
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During these challenging times, the Heart Failure Society of America is doing its part to help keep heart failure patients abreast of critical news, advice, and developing stories centered on Coronavirus symptoms, treatment, and questions. This month's Heart Failure Awareness newsletter is focused on COVID-19 and Heart Failure Patients.
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Stocking Your Shelves to Shelter At Home – Avoiding Hidden Sodium
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You may feel inclined to stock up with many non-perishable basics or rely more on take out or delivery while social distancing. However, HFSA reminds those living with heart failure to be aware of the hidden sodium that may be found in many of these products.
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New Heart Failure Beat: Healthy Living Podcast Episode: Heart Failure and Coronavirus
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On a new episode of the
Heart Failure Beat: Healthy Living podcast
, HFSA President, Dr. Biykem Bozkurt, Professor of Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, shares information on how the Coronavirus may impact people living with heart failure.
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‘Where are all our patients?’: Covid phobia is keeping people with serious heart symptoms away from ERs
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According to HFSA President, Biykem Bozkurt, MD, many hospitals are seeing less patients as fear is keeping them from seeking treatment, even when symptoms are apparent. In an article published on StatNews.com on April 23, Dr. Bozkurt and others share their perspectives on the "COVID-phobia" that may be causing people to put off care.
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ALERT
: Do not stop any of your medications unless instructed by your healthcare team to do so. It is important that you have an adequate supply of your heart failure medications and that you request extended duration of supplies and refills from your providers during these times.
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Heart Failure Patients and COVID-19:
What to Do if You're Experiencing Symptoms
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Because you are a patient with a heart failure, you are at higher risk of getting very sick if you contract Coronavirus.
COVID-19 symptoms vary among infected people and can include cough, fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches, profound fatigue, loss of sense of smell and taste, and diarrhea. Not every infected person will have symptoms, most people have only mild symptoms, but others have severe symptoms that require hospitalization and occasionally intensive care.
- If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, please call your primary healthcare clinician.
- For your safety and the safety of others, and to reduce potential exposures to the Coronavirus, please do not go to an urgent care clinic or emergency room for non-urgent or non-emergency issues unless you have been instructed to do so by your primary healthcare clinician.
- However, If you have life-threatening symptoms like difficulty breathing, call 911.
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Heart Failure Patients and COVID-19: How to Take Care of Your Health During These Times
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To keep patients from contracting the Coronavirus and to limit the number of healthcare workers in the hospital, clinicians are converting appointments to telephone or video calls. If you are sick and need to be seen or get lab testing, you should still do so; otherwise:
- Learn how to use your smartphone or computer to participate in telehealth video visits
- Keep track of missed visits and studies
- Work with your team to reschedule missed visits and studies once social distancing measures are relaxed
Stay tuned for more on telehealth, coming in May!
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HFSA Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources Center
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The HFSA Coronavirus Resources Center provides a number of key tools for people living with heart failure.
Included in the center is information on avoiding scams, staying healthy while social distancing, tips you should know, symptoms, and more.
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Follow HFSA on Social Media for #HFAwareness Information
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Spaghetti-Squash Spaghetti
Ingredients:
- 1 spaghetti squash (3 pounds)
- Non-stick Cooking spray
- 1 tsp. extra virgin olive oil
- 1 clove fresh garlic (minced)
- OR 1 tsp. jarred, minced garlic
- 1/2 small onion (chopped)
- 1 cup tomatoes (diced)
- OR 8 oz. canned, no-salt-added,
- diced tomatoes
- 1/4 tsp. Black pepper
- 1/4 tsp. dried, salt-free herbs,
- Italian blend
- 1/8 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
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Thank you to our
Heart Failure Awareness 365 supporters!
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