Key things people with heart conditions should know about Covid-19 vaccines

This afternoon, I started participating in Covid vaccination for the community. In this phase, the city puts people 65 years of age and older and people with chronic medical conditions (including cardiovascular disease) as priority groups for vaccination. By the way, please answer some information for heart patients or questions:

Should people with heart disease get the Covid-19 vaccine?

Vaccination does not guarantee you will not be infected, but it helps reduce the risk of severe Covid-19 requiring hospitalization, mechanical ventilation, and even death. In particular, people with cardiovascular disease are at high risk of developing the severe disease if they have it. Cardiovascular disease includes stroke, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, peripheral artery disease, coronary artery disease (with or without stenting), hypertension, congenital heart disease, etc.

Does the covid vaccine have any side effects that significantly affect people with cardiovascular disease?

Vaccine trials have shown no difference in post-vaccination serious events between people with and without heart disease. Patients with heart disease also have fever, mild pain at the injection site, fatigue, headache, chills, and muscle fatigue, similar to healthy people receiving the vaccine. For patients with severe cardiovascular disease, side effects may be more severe with dose 2, but these signs usually disappear after 48 hours and respond well with paracetamol and adequate water intake.

Do I need to stop taking cardiovascular drugs when I get the Covid vaccine?

Cardiovascular drugs do not interact with vaccines. Therefore, there is no recommendation to discontinue the medication before and after injection.

Can a patient take a blood thinner medication to be injected?

Patients taking anticoagulants (Sintrom, Xarelto, Pradaxa) or antiplatelet drugs (Asprin, Brilinta, Plavix) may risk bleeding and hematoma because the vaccine must be injected intramuscularly. If you are taking Sintrom, check with the latest INR test to ensure the blood is not too thin. When injecting, the doctor can prepare a smaller needle (23-25G). After the injection, you need to take an alcohol cotton swab to squeeze the injection site for about 2 minutes, do not rub the injection site. Unlike the seasonal flu vaccine, which can be injected under the skin to reduce bleeding, the current Covid vaccine is only administered intramuscularly.

Are cardiovascular patients at high risk of anaphylaxis when receiving the Covid vaccine?

Current data show no difference in anaphylaxis between patients with and without cardiovascular disease. The doctor will carefully examine factors such as a history of anaphylaxis of grade 2 or higher, current medications, current acute illness or not to decide. According to current regulations, cardiovascular patients under stable treatment will be vaccinated at a hospital or at a medical facility capable of providing first aid.

What should I do if my blood pressure is high when I go for an injection?

You need to take your daily blood pressure medication on time (if you are taking it). The doctor will give you a break. There is no need to be impatient to ask for a blood pressure measurement again after...1 minute. The more impatiently you can measure it again, the more nervous you will be, and your blood pressure may still be high. Here's your chance to practice your understanding of how blood pressure is measured:

- Do not measure when just going up the stairs, running into the room.

- Do not drink coffee, tea. Eat or smoke for 30 minutes before measuring

- When holding urine, urinate as soon as you feel the urge to urinate because holding back / urinary retention increases blood pressure significantly.

- Rest comfortably for 5 minutes before measuring.

- If you are nervous or relax your body—close your eyes. Inhale slowly through the nose, exhale slowly through the mouth. Count your breaths from 1 to 20 to calm down.

- Do not talk when measuring. Wear short sleeves. Sit in a chair with a backrest. Relax your arms without straining, do not cross your legs.

- Bring your current prescription, as well as a record of your daily blood pressure readings, so that your doctor has enough information to assess your blood pressure control.

Hopefully, everyone, especially cardiovascular patients, will be vaccinated as soon as possible.

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