CARDIOLOGY Consultant and Clinical Director at North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust Dr Muhiddin Özkor said that during the coronavirus pandemic, up to five thousand more heart patients died compared to normal.
Dr Özkor also known as Dr Mick Ozkor is a Consultant at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, where the Barts Heart Centre is Europe’s largest specialised cardiovascular service, currently, Prince Philip is being treated at the hospital.
Özkor stated that so many deaths, based on the British Heart Foundation report, were partly due to people’s fear of hospitals during the pandemic period.
“Also, tests slowed down during the pandemic. For this reason, heart problems were not detected in more people. In this second wave, we delayed and reduced the appointments, but our test count decreased. Because many nurses and doctors were sent to other emergency rooms and intensive care units to care for covid patients. Therefore, fewer heart surgeries could be performed, fewer stents could be placed, and heart valves could be changed ”.
Stating that: “Heart patients should know that hospitals are open and should be seen when they are unwell. Our clinic appointments continue, ”
Saying that the number of hospitalizations in intensive care has decreased gradually, heart Cardiology Özkor also called on everyone to be vaccinated and said, “When you get the vaccine, your risk of entering intensive care decreases.”
Özkor added that in order to keep your heart healthy during the pandemic, it is necessary to walk for at least half an hour every day, pay attention not to gain weight, and avoid smoking and drinking alcohol as much as possible.
Source/Image: Halil Yetkinlioğlu