World Heart Day is September 29. On world heart day we work together to promote cardiovascular health. The theme for this year is “use heart to connect.” The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed us all to find new ways to communicate and take care of each other. Telemedicine, using electronic communications between provider and patient, has been one of the many tools we utilize to continue to provide excellent patient care over long distances.
On this World Heart Day, we continue to use digital methods to promote awareness, prevention, and management of cardiovascular disease. With COVID-19, patients with cardiovascular disease are at higher risk of requiring hospitalization and developing more severe cases. Now more than ever we must use our hearts to connect to those around us using telehealth to achieve our most heart-healthy lives. There are 3 key pillars we focus on for this World Heart Day:
-Equity: not having adequate access to healthcare puts patients at higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease. With half the world’s population lacking internet connectivity, advances in modern technology will help make telehealth available to all.
-Prevention: we know that key components of heart health are following a balanced diet, getting plenty of exercise, and saying no to tobacco. With technology such as fitness trackers and health apps, we are empowered to take more responsibility for our own heart health and beat cardiovascular disease.
-Community: with COVID-19 isolations and quarantines, many patients feel lonely and lack the support of friends and family they had prior to the pandemic. Using digital networks we can remain connected with our communities, including healthcare providers. Connectivity helps to bridge the gaps between patient and provider as well as increase communication so that no one feels alone.
This World Heart Day, let’s use our hearts to connect us together and promote awareness, prevention, and management of cardiovascular disease. Find more information at: https://world-heart-federation.org/world-heart-day/
Dr. Anastasia YI, VPCHC Crawfordsville
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