Page 26 - CNF April 2021 Revised

The COVID-19 Vaccine: COVID Impacts Heart Health

Our Best Shot at Health and Safety COVID-19 is wreaking diac event. Broward Health

havoc in all areas of our continues to see a decrease in
lives, but for those who the number of patients seek-
One year after the first have an elevated duty to be
U.S. death from coron- vaccinated to protect our- have been infected, there is ing emergency care, and
avirus, there is finally a selves, so that we can protect the added impact the dis- patients are presenting more
glimmer of hope and them – and do our part in ease may have on our ill than in the past.
enthusiasm as the vac- protecting the community at heart. While it is impossi- “What happens is that their
cine rollout continues. As large. ble at this time to know the condition continues to worsen
an experienced epidemi- Although the speed with lingering effects COVID-19 and when they do call 911, the
ologist, I recognize the which the COVID-19 vac- has on the heart, there are situation has become dire,”
rapid development of a cine was developed is patients who have tested said Dr. Blanchard. “Time is
vaccine for what it is: a unprecedented, we should positive for the disease that Dr. Arnoux Blanchard muscle. The longer you wait
scientific breakthrough take comfort in the thorough may experience heart com- to take care of your heart mus-
of profound importance. review process it has under- plications as a result. cle, the more muscle you will
I have been vaccinat- BY ANNA M. LIKOS, gone and the brilliant com- “There are patients infected with lose.” In addition to the decrease in the
ed, and so should every MD, MPH munity of physicians and sci- COVID-19 who are also diagnosed with number of patients coming to the
other health care entists responsible for its myocarditis, or inflammation of the heart, Emergency Department, healthcare
provider, from hospitals development. which can cause permanent damage to the providers also have noted a decrease in the
to doctor’s offices to nursing homes. We This process was boosted by a vast heart muscle,” said Arnoux Blanchard, number of patients who are scheduling
have a shared duty to protect the health community of highly qualified M.D., a cardiac and internal medicine spe- routine screenings and tests. That can lead
and well-being of those we serve, and as researchers, in both the public and pri- cialist with the Broward Health Physician to serious health outcomes and sometimes
we have stepped up so many times – and vate sectors, who focused their resources Group. “Or they may experience arrhyth- death. This is particularly true when it
in so many ways – to serve them, so too on this mission. The vaccine underwent mic complications. Patients at higher risk comes to matters of the heart.
should we step up to receive our vacci- a thorough process of clinical trials, data of these complications are those who have The stress created by COVID-19 and the
nation. collection, and data analysis. The been diagnosed with hypertension, dia- emotional, economic and social impact of
I have found my thoughts turning to process has also been quite transparent – betes, high blood pressure or other chronic the disease continues to take a toll on
the early days of vaccine development. the data can be found on the Food and underlying conditions.” many patients, exasperating heart condi-
In 1886, Louis Pasteur gave an experi- Drug Administration website, and the A significant amount of media coverage tions that already existed or causing health
mental vaccine to a boy named Joseph Advisory Committee discussions can be has surrounded athletes with COVID-19 issues that weren’t experienced prior to the
Meister, who was dying of rabies. viewed by anyone. and how it effects their hearts. Research pandemic.
Pasteur didn’t know whether the vaccine I am satisfied that this vaccine is continues to show that athletes, particular- “Listen to your body and don’t ignore
would have a significant long-term effect appropriately safe and will be an impact- ly younger ones, are at higher risk of your health,” added Dr. Blanchard. “Today
on the boy's life – all he knew was that ful part of putting the pandemic behind myocarditis. An MRI for at-risk athletes it is easier than ever to speak to your health-
Joseph would surely die if nothing was us for the long term. It’s important for can determine if the inflammation has care provider via telehealth or by phone.
done. Similarly, I know that if we as a the public to recognize that, much like resolved or if there is scar tissue that could Share your concerns with your healthcare
population do nothing, this virus will vaccines for tetanus and meningitis, the lead to arrhythmias. provider and let them guide you.”
continue to claim a horrific number of leading COVID-19 vaccines require mul- An unintended consequence of COVID-
lives. tiple doses to be fully effective – and the 19 has been that some patients are delay- For more information about Broward
Through various leadership positions, second dose must come from the same ing annual heart screening or avoiding the Health’s cardiac services, visit
including as a state epidemiologist and brand as the first. The easiest way for hospital even if they are experiencing a car- BrowardHealth.org/Cardiac.
as a country director for the Centers for you and your doctor to know which vac-
Disease Control and Prevention, I wit- cine you received is to ask your vaccina-
nessed not only the marvel of effective tion team to add the information into the
vaccines saving lives, but also the devas- Florida Shots system.
tation caused by their lack of use. I have As we navigate these early stages of
been deployed to Africa on projects the vaccine distribution, we must
related to polio and the Ebola virus, and remember that face coverings, hand-
I understand what it takes to stop a washing, and social distancing remain
widespread outbreak. I am confident the important tools to reduce the spread.
COVID-19 vaccine will be an effective Vaccination is the finishing touch to
tool in bringing an end to the current achieve our shared goal of putting this
pandemic. deadly disease behind us.
I am a bit dismayed, however, by I hope you’ll join me in doing every-
reports that large numbers a citizens – thing possible to keep our communities
including health care and frontline healthy. We must work together, toward
workers – are reluctant to get the vac- one goal. To end the deadly COVID-19
cine. In December, an internal survey at pandemic, we need the highest possible
Miami’s largest public hospital found number of immune individuals in the
that fewer than half said they would get population. For an individual to become
the vaccine as soon as it became avail- immune, the choice becomes to get
able. And a Kaiser Family Foundation either the illness or the vaccine. For me,
report that same month found that that choice is clear.
almost one-third of health care workers
were hesitant to do so. While thousands Dr. Anna Likos served four years as
of health care workers have received the Florida’s state epidemiologist and was
vaccine since then, it just takes one per- interim Deputy Secretary of Health. She
son to spread this deadly virus. was also director of the state’s Division of
I believe that all of us in health care Disease Control and Health Protection.

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