articles and statistics on covid-19

We've had a lot of posts recently with concern over covid-19, questions asked if being paced makes us high risk, concerns over what happens if we get it. I saw two articles today, both posted by MD friends, that might answer some of your questions objectively. 

This one has charts that show the percentage of people hospitalized with coronavirus that have other medical conditions. It's a whopping 90%! So yes, I think it's safe to say that having a compromised heart  increases our chances of being hospitalized. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/928531?src=soc_fb_200420_mscpedt_news_mdscp_obesity&faf=1

This article shows the effect on other parts of the body, not just the lungs. Heart is high on the list of organs that take a beating. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/04/how-does-coronavirus-kill-clinicians-trace-ferocious-rampage-through-body-brain-toes?utm_campaign=SciMag&utm_source=JHubbard&utm_medium=Facebook#

 I saw a third article but can't find the link that was talking about the organ damage to people who have survived.  Bottom line? Stay home. Don't take chances. 

5 Comments

Lies, damned lies, and statistics

by AgentX86 - 2020-04-21 16:05:26

The logical fallacy in the above is that all pacemaker recipients have structural heart disease and that all heart disease is the same.

An interesting statistic I heard recently is that there are about as many fatalities under the age of 30 as there are over the age of 100.  Think about it.

 

Agent X

by Tracey_E - 2020-04-22 11:22:14

Is someone with just electrical issues in a better position to fight a virus (or anything!) than someone with structural issues? Of course. But every single one of us here has a heart that is in some way impaired. Some are more impaired and more at risk than others, but all of us have a heart that is functioning at something less than optimum health which may put us at a disadvantage. 

Anyone who has been here for more than 5 minutes knows that I am not a worrier and to call me an optimist is an understatement. These articles scare me. They would scare me whether I had a pacer or not.  You can agree or disagree, I'm just sharing articles I found educational that I thought others who had questions might appreciate. You're welcome to scroll on by any time.  

Bottom line ? Stay home. Don't Take Chances

by IAN MC - 2020-04-22 14:01:35

Very wise words !

I only personally know two people who have died because of Corona virus :-

- my local newsagent who also had diabetes

-  a golfing friend who also had a pacemaker for 3rd degree heart-block

I am not arriving at any conclusions because a sample of 2 is statistically meaningless    ( and his pacemaker was possibly irrelevant )   BUT I know that having an underlying condition will certainly not improve your chances of survival from Corona virus.

It is a new virus and there are lots that we don't understand about it.... there simply isn't enough data !  

 The bottom line is Stay Home. Don't take chances.

Ian

Thank you

by LORIAAA - 2020-04-26 14:01:38

Tracey,  Thank you!  I appreciate your input.

I got my pacemaker in 2016 and had several serious complications.  I always appreciated your positive comments and suggestions.  You are amazing!  I am doing great today!  Thank you!  ðŸ˜ŠðŸ’•ðŸ’•

Hi Lori!

by Tracey_E - 2020-04-26 21:43:09

So glad to hear you are doing well! It always makes my day to hear of someone who got off to a bumpy start that is doing great down the road. Stay safe. :)

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I had a pacemaker since 2002 and ever since then my life has been a total blessing.