Associate Professor Midge Bowers's article "Why Older Adults Can't Ignore Cardiovascular Care During the Pandemic" is part of Mediaplanet’s nationwide Cardiovascular Health campaign. The campaign is digital and was included as a centerfold insert, featuring Barbra Streisand on the cover, in the March 25th issue of USA Today. The campaign shares the resources and health tips readers need to take charge of their cardiovascular health and highlights some of the cutting-edge technology and health care leaders helping to fight against this health care epidemic.

Introduction

Many cardiovascular conditions, such as heart attack, heart failure, and stroke require urgent attention, and delaying care can result in complications or even death. These complications may also be attributed to cancellation of an elective procedure for a cardiac diagnosis during times when COVID-19 rates escalated. 

This is one reason why in the early phase of COVID-19 vaccine distribution, people over age 65 have been targeted. Some of the cardiovascular consequences of a COVID-19 infection include blood clots (deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism), ischemic stroke, and acute coronary syndromes (i.e., a heart attack).