If you are currently scheduled for surgery, you should continue to prepare for it unless your health care team tells you otherwise. With cases in Canada continuing to rise, it is possible that non-emergency operations may be cancelled to increase capacity within the health care system to treat patients with COVID-19. If your surgery is rescheduled, continue to monitor your symptoms closely (symptom tracker available here), inquire with your health care team about arranging weekly check-in calls if they haven’t already done so, and report to them if any of your symptoms worsen. If you are experiencing a severe health situation call 911.

Everyone should also be practicing physical distancing and avoiding social activities as per government guidelines.

If you have had a cardiac transplantation or are a pregnant woman with serious cardiac problems, you should quarantine within your home.

Thank you to our HVV U.K. colleagues for creating this video.

Patients who have recently undergone surgery or transcatheter valve intervention may have an increased risk of infection due to great exposure to germs within the hospital and to alteration of immune system.

Patients should continue with their regular rehab routine while taking the necessary steps to limit the risk of infection. It would also be valuable to inquire with your health care team about arranging weekly check-in calls if they haven’t already done so. If you begin to feel ill contact your doctor or call 911.

If you recently had heart valve surgery, it is important to self-isolate as much as possible and ask for help getting essential items like groceries and prescriptions. As you recover the risk of infection diminishes, however, avoiding public places as much as possible is highly recommended.

Thank you to our HVV U.K. colleagues for creating this video.

Elective surgery means that you and your doctor have had a chance to discuss the type of procedure that you require and then plan for when the procedure should be scheduled. This is different than emergency or urgent surgery which means that you need the procedure right away because your health is under immediate threat.

Based on observances of this virus, older age and underlying conditions (including heart conditions) have been risk factors for death. However, there is currently no evidence to suggest that individuals who have specifically had heart valve replacements are at any greater risk of contracting COVID-19.

It is important to recognize that research is limited on this virus. The most effective measure you can take right now is to practice physical distancing and self-isolate as much as possible.

If you have coronary artery disease and are experiencing chest pain, you should call 911. The Canadian health care system is still actively treating patients presenting with chest pain as a priority.

Several individuals with valvular heart disease also take anti-hypertensive medications such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II type-I receptor blockers. Some information has circulated on the internet stating that these medications may increase the risk of infection or the extent of cardiac damage with COVID-19. There is no scientific evidence to support this statement. If you are on this medication, you should not stop taking it unless your doctor advises you to do so.

For those living with heart disease the best way to prevent getting COVID-19 is to avoid being exposed to the virus. The Coronavirus is spread by droplet infection (such as coughing and sneezing), or by close contact with someone who has the virus. Limited research on the virus means that it is not known how easily it can be spread.

Individuals with heart conditions or people living with someone who has a heart condition should take extra precautions (i.e. self-isolation, limit all outings where possible). It is also important to be aware of the symptoms of COVID-19 and take the recommended precautionary measures, including:

• Wash your hands often - with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
• Avoid contact with people who are sick
• If you feel unwell, stay at home and do not attend work or school
• Cover your mouth with a tissue or your arm when you cough or sneeze
• Do not partake in travel
• Social distance/self-isolate
• Maintain a healthy diet, including foods high in vitamins and minerals. If possible, try and maintain daily exercise (going up and down stairs, walking, etc.).

Content below is outlined by the Canadian Medical Association.

Medical grade masks should be reserved for front-line workers such as health care providers and those who have been diagnosed with COVID-19. Masks alone, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada, are not protection against COVID-19. Non-medical grade or homemade masks can be useful if you’re unable to remain two metres away from others (such as at the grocery store) as a way to protect others from community spread cases, particularly if you’re asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic.

If you choose to wear non-medical grade mask or homemade mask, please be aware that a mask doesn’t replace the need for physical distancing, there’s potential risk of infection when putting on, taking off and throwing out a mask – it should be treated as though it is infected, wash your hands thoroughly whenever you’ve touched your mask, do not share it with others, and change cloth masks once used or made damp and soak in hot water. Wearing a mask can also cause you to touch your face more frequently as you may need to adjust it, it is important to avoid doing this as it can introduce viruses and bacteria into the body.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or are seeking medical attention, your doctor may recommend that you wear a mask. This helps to stop droplets from spreading to others. The recommendations of your health care provider should be followed.