Clinicians don’t need to feel alone during the COVID-19 pandemic with many professional bodies and research institutes providing useful online resources for cardiologists and their patients.

The European Society of Cardiology has curated online COVID-19 related information including insightful updates from the front lines such as the hard-hit countries of Italy and Spain.

The ESC site also hosts its position statement on the topic of hypertension and ACE-Inhibitors and ARBs, and other recommended reading from reputable sources.

ESC COVID-19 videos on a comprehensive range of topics are coming soon.

Locally, the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute has uploaded an informative video featuring its executive director Professor Bob Graham explaining COVID-19 and implications for patients.

It reinforced the seriousness of the situation and provides basic advice on hand hygiene, social isolation, and the importance of the annual influenza vaccination.

In the US, the American Heart Association (AHA) is also compiling patient and health professional information.

The AHA said in a statement that the COVID-19 risk for patients with cardiovascular disease was real.

“Data from China, published last month, indicates cardiovascular disease and hypertension were associated with an increased COVID-19 case fatality rate: 10.5% and 6.0%, respectively.”

“Among patients who died from COVID-19, substantial cardiac damage was observed.”

The AHA also noted the increased risk to other vulnerable groups in the community.

“COVID-19 will likely clearly illuminate the dramatic ways in which social determinants affect patient health and well-being outcomes,” the statement said.

“COVID-19 will also show us the functionality of the U.S. health care system and help us identify what is needed to achieve health equity – accurate health information, access to health care, and optimal public health response regardless of gender, race or ethnicity.”