Hi everyone,
Earlier this week the government announced that people with serious heart and circulatory diseases who have been shielding from Covid-19, can spend more time outside their homes from Monday July 6.
Our article takes a look at the changes and what the news rules mean for those living with heart conditions.
Link here bit.ly/2BwJt2U
Thanks all.
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Thank you for this Helen. Very useful. I was shielded by my GP - HF and CAD and two replacement aortic valves. He commented the other day that the risk was as great now as in March, and when allowed out to be very cautious and observe all the safety rules.
I was delighted a couple of weeks ago to be advised that I could go for a socially distanced walk and I found a deserted station car park behind my house ideal, BUT on my daily outing last Friday I fainted and fell and spent Friday afternoon in A and E, having mangled my hand as I fell. For now I'm staying put,,,,certainly until the breaks have healed!!
Stay well and safe.
Frances
I hope you're recovering well francesw47 ! Keep us posted 
Oh, Frances, poor you. A shielding friend of my mother's fell over about a month ago and ended up in a&e with a broken wrist, a lovely black eye and various other scrapes and bruises. Very worrying for her, but she said the staff were wonderful.
Hope the hand heals quickly xx
To be fair they haven't been "telling people/us to go out" . There is a choice.
Yes., that’s true. But if my priority delivery slots stop, then I’m going to have to go to shops.
It's much easier to get a slot now, whoever you are. They were available before Covid, so no reason this shouldn't continue.
That was a year ago! It’s fine now.
Sorry! True, nonetheless.
There's nothing that has altered the risk but I do think it's important for people to now take control of what they do and make their own choices. We can't stay at home forever so we need to do what we need to do but minimise the risk as much as possible. It's other people who worry me. I'd feel a lot happier if they made masks compulsory in public.
Yes, a risk we can’t control is other people’s behaviour.
Had to leave the house for the first time since 5th March on Monday, husband had an appointment at the hospital I am his carer so off we went, I took every precaution I could mask gloves sanitizer in bag anti bacterial wipes! Got to the hospital every thing in place no one in the waiting room only there a minute and in to see Consultant back out again in under 20 minutes. Must admit very nervous of being out, never thought it would worry me! I think I have felt safe in are little bubble.
Sounds v well managed. I was shocked that not all nurses wore their masks, and some walked together very closely, when I spent yesterday in a local hospital. We have been shielding for ages, and now feel we have to keep pretty carefully masked and apart at home, for the next 7 days. We are pretty sure he wouldn’t survive the virus.
Hi all, just a reminder that if you're living with a heart or circulatory condition, or you care for someone who does, and would like to speak to someone about coronavirus risk, you can call our heart helpline on 0300 330 3311, or email hearthelpline@bhf.org.uk bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...
Hope this helps!
Hi Shwills, I realise you may be referring to the previous government shielding guidance but as per our information page - if you have heart failure that causes symptoms such as breathlessness or tiredness, then you are classed as high risk. More here bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...
If you do have further questions about shielding and your own personal risk, it may be something to discuss with your doctor. Our cardiac nurses can also provide further information bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...
Really hope this helps.
Hi Helen
I also have Pulmonary hypertension as well as Heart Failure and permanent AF
I have spoke to my surgery this week and waiting for a reply also my Heart Failure nurse is very supportive and does think I should be one of the last ones back to work
Is it to late to be put on Shielding List?
Sadly in her wisdom Nicola sturgeon has us shielded till July 31st
She does seem to have wisdom!
Sorry! That came out as political. I shouldn’t have said that.
I live in Scotland and just watched her in Parliament, First Ministers questions, to me she as always come across as caring and doing the best she can to keep us all safe. Before the pandemic I wasn’t a fan of her politics but over the past 3 months she as certainly come into her own.
My husband had to go out today to take his car in which meant getting a bus home. Scared me to death but he had mask and gloves and said people on the bus were sitting well apart. I wasn't happy that he called in to a supermarket on the way back. We didn't need anything but lockdown is really driving him crazy. I suppose we have to take a chance at some point and just be careful
Thanks for this and the other references. I was diagnosed with angina 2.5 years ago and am coming up to the second anniversary of stents being inserted.
Most of the time, I wouldn't know I had a problem, but then suddenly there is a pain or breathlessness (usually brief) to remind me. My main issue is that I do need to rest more than I used to.
But, I am worried (and a worrier). Other people's behaviour seems so ... well, irresponsible. Almost as if they want to catch this damned virus, sometimes. If the infection rate goes back up, it will affect everyone, particularly if lockdown reoccurs.
However, I do wonder, increasingly, about the long term effects of Covid, (on a years timescale); particularly in children. I'd love to see studies done of various cohorts (those you have had it and an equal number who have not) across those who are at pre-school and in the years up to 18. They need detailed examination and testing and then follow up on a yearly basis to see what has happened to them.
Does anyone know if a study like this has started, or is planned?
If its not being done, WHY NOT?
Henry
I think it's time to make masks available that actually protect the clinically vulnerable. I wear a mask when I go into the odd shop, though I never see anyone to catch Covid from, so I would love not to have to wear one but when "the masks are off" I will be vulnerable or have to continue shielding. I got shouted at last week in the garage because I forgot and left my mask in the car, but what they don't realise is that I'm the one at risk - not them.
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