Coronavirus - vulnerability

[SingerMan]

I have a pacemaker for Sinus Bradychardia. Otherwise luckily, in good health. Does that put me in the the high risk group if I get Coronavirus COVID 19?

[Hidden]

I dont think so. I think the more vulnerable people are those with chronic cardiovascular and lung diseases such as copd/emphysema, coronary artery disease, etc. People with clogged up lungs from smoking or living in highly polluted places, or clogged up blood vessels where there circulation is poor are more likely to have weakened immune systems. Poor general health, poor nutrition, lack of exercise robs our bodies immune systems our natural ability to fight off viruses and bacteria in general. Staying hydrated, well rested, well fed etc helps our immune systems.

[SpiritoftheFloyd in reply to Hidden]

Well said

[SingerMan in reply to SpiritoftheFloyd]

Thank you for your helpful comments

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Hidden]

And plenty of fruit (but watch the fructose) and veggies! 🍏🍊🥑🍆🥕🥬🌶️

[Hidden in reply to MichaelJH]

Good point

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Hidden]

The NHS also advises that people over 65 should avoid some foods because of impaired immune systems. It is probably worth us hearties following this guidance.

nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/f...

[SingerMan in reply to MichaelJH]

Thank you for your helpful comments

[not2worry in reply to MichaelJH]

Well you learn something new every day! I never knew about fermented meats!

From now on I’m going to freeze my meat and poultry before cooking.

Thanks for the article!

[SingerMan in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your helpful comments

[Rob6868 in reply to Hidden]

WOW your a great help for people who want positivity... NOT

[stevejb1810]

Ok, so I'm guessing you are male, so that puts you at slightly higher risk than if you were female. How old are you? In addition to what everyone else has said re lifestyle etc., your risks of developing serious complications rise appreciably with age.

[Lezzers in reply to stevejb1810]

Just curious but, why does being a male put someone at more risk than a female?

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Lezzers]

I wondered that too!

[stevejb1810 in reply to Milkfairy]

I don't know either. Its just what the stats are pointing to at the moment. Take a look at the attached

worldometers.info/coronavir...

[Hidden in reply to Lezzers]

I think it’s because men tend to suffer in silence more than women, so our unparalleled high pain threshold would mask any symptoms until it’s to late ☺️that’s why everyone’s more worried about us men. Makes perfect sense really 🤗

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Hidden]

Ah what about the theory that oestrogen protects women from pain and as it falls at the menopause women 's perception of pain changes.

Though man flu is a real thing or so they say ( men)

😉

[Hidden in reply to Milkfairy]

What has frightened me is Trumps speech saying don’t panic or worry etc etc. When has a president/ prime minister (health officials, yes) ever come out to tell the public not to panic or worry about a virus.

Someone I spoke today said, Apparently in China they’ve been told not to reveal the true devastation of this virus.

It doesn’t take a genius to connect the dots.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Hidden]

Can I please stick my head in the sand?

🙈🙊🙉

I can't get the image out of my mind of Corporal Jones running around shouting ' don't panic'

I personally do not have the energy to worry about this there is nothing I can do other than keep washing my hands 😁

[Hidden in reply to Milkfairy]

I turned up at a meeting at work on Friday in my old Royal Navy issued gas mask. Everyone howled with laughter. It was a buggar to drive with it on.

[Lezzers in reply to Milkfairy]

Whilst I totally agree with 'don't panic, I really can't agree with you sticking your head on the sand....what if you get those wormy things in your ears!!! 🤔 😂

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Lezzers]

Ah I forgot about the worms but then there's not much of interest between my ears 😂

[Sunnie2day in reply to Lezzers]

I've wiped what I wrote about stronger heartbeats - I went looking for a link and couldn't find one so I thought I should delete the comment rather than leave it up and risk spreading none-sense (pun intended).

[Lezzers in reply to Sunnie2day]

Thank you, though to be honest I actually liked Deano's explanation, it sounded very plausible!! 😂

[stevejb1810 in reply to Lezzers]

Further to my other reply, attached is a link to a BBC story which also shows men more at risk than women

bbc.co.uk/news/health-51674743

I have no idea why and nobody is offering a rationale that I have seen, it just 'is'!

[Lezzers in reply to stevejb1810]

Thank you, interesting story. Big increase re people in their 60's compared to those in their 50's!! I'm gonna start lying bout my age! 😂

No surprise to see cardiovascular disease at the top of the medical conditions though

[stevejb1810 in reply to Lezzers]

Yes. More or less doubles for each 10 years in age from 50 onwards. I'm working on being a sprightly 40 😂

[Lezzers in reply to stevejb1810]

I believe you may have stumbled on a cure 😂

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Lezzers]

Male newborn babies especially when born prematurely have a higher mortality than baby girls.

Slightly more boys are born than girls so nature knows something....

bbc.co.uk/news/amp/health-4...

[Helen_BHF]

Hi SingerMan , the BHF has some information on coronavirus from our senior cardiac nurse: bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

If you do have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact our heart helpline on 0300 330 3311 or email [e-mail]. Hope this helps.

[Rob6868 in reply to Helen_BHF]

Helen I think your link is so basic and so obvious.

But what do people actually do who are at home with heart disease and they catch this?site at home and hope for the best?or actually call an ambulance and get taken to hospital? as we would in normal circumstances.

I'm diagnosed with heart disease and micro vascular angina and as much as I'm on the younger side at 52 and keep fit and eat well and keep my weight down I'm obviously worried.

There is no advice on there that surprises anyone

It's almost as if the BHF don't really know what to say or do other than follow others advice..

[Helen_BHF in reply to Rob6868]

Hi Rob6868 - we completely understand your concern. The BHF recommends that everybody closely follows the advice provided on the NHS and Government webpages, as they are updating their information daily. This is the best possible way to protect yourself and others.

If you think you might have the coronavirus, please call the 111 coronavirus service and they will advise you on what to do next. Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.

All the information you need can be found via the NHS website: nhs.uk/conditions/coronavir...

If you would like to speak with a cardiac nurse about any of this, please contact our heart helpline on 0300 330 3311.

Hope this helps.