TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — Two out of 10 deaths in Florida are due to heart disease according to the Florida Department of Health.
Cardiologists say it's important to know your risk factors, such as family history, other illnesses, and obesity. In minority communities, there's a greater risk for heart disease. That's because many minority communities experience those risk factors such as hypertension and diabetes. They're also more likely to live in a place with poor access to healthcare.
COVID-19 now giving even more of a reason to see your doctor; especially if you've had the virus.
Dr. Niraj Pandit is an Interventional Cardiologist with Capital Regional Medical Center. He says doctors are now seeing the impact of COVID-19 on the heart.
"An inflammation of the heart. That's what we're seeing in patients who have had a covid infection. If the patients had a COVID infection and their starting to have more shortness of breath or more chest pain, we look at the heart to see if there is heart damage and we do see that," said Dr. Pandit.
He says another blowback from COVID is fewer people are even making time for the doctor. Many fear catching COVID-19 at the doctor's office, therefore ignoring signs of heart disease and necessary care.
Dr. Pandit says CRMC is following CDC guidelines to ensure the safety of all patients. He says everyone should visit their family physician to look at their heart health this month.
