Frequently Asked Questions

No. Fear of going to hospital due to COVID is not counterbalanced by the risk of waiting too long for diagnosis and adequate treatment for an acute cardiovascular disease. It is also unjustified. Today, hospitals are equipped with dedicated pathways for suspected or positive COVID patients, keeping the remaining pathways clean and COVID-free for negative COVID patients. Healthcare professionals are nowadays fully vaccinated and periodically monitored with swab tests, further reducing the risk of transmission. In most hospitals, patients are also screened for COVID before admission, also reducing to a minimum the risk of transmission.

If these symptoms are the consequences of a heart attack, the longer you wait the higher your risk of dying or having serious long-term complications. Indeed, during the pandemic we recorded double the number of cardiac deaths at home than usual, which really underlines the importance of seeking timely care.

Going to hospital after waiting too long may avoid a life-threatening situation, but the risk of long-term complications increases even if the disease is treated. Indeed, during the pandemic we recorded a dramatic increase of mechanical complications after heart attacks compared to previously, such as ventricle ruptures requiring urgent open cardiac surgery. This will translate in the near future to an overall higher rate of heart failures, re-hospitalisations, more interventions, and reduction of life expectancy.

Time is of the essence in these cases. We know that after 12 hours from the onset of symptoms, our efforts to “save” the heart are vain, and the patient will have life-threatening complications. If we treat it before then, we can obtain optimal results, varying of course among patients.

No. Correct follow-up for a chronic disease is fundamental to prevent its worsening and avoid urgent treatments, which are more complex than elective ones. Don’t wait any longer.

Yes, many centres are implementing a virtual system for follow-up visits, when suited to the patient’s status and the severity of their disease. This set-up avoids contact with the hospital environment, while remaining safely monitored by your doctors.

Doing physical activity outdoors is completely safe if standard safety measures are observed. We recommend all cardiovascular patients to continue their physical activities even during lockdown periods. Indeed, it is dangerous to stop routine physical exercise, as it is a cornerstone of cardiovascular treatment.

No, it’s not necessary. In non-urgent situations, it is better to avoid contacts.

Get in touch with the cardiology department secretary online, or call if there is a special phone number for this kind of issue. Many hospitals have activated a dedicated helpline on which a cardiologist can assist you with your daily medication and simple issues.

You must go. Many hospitals (also private ones) are now accredited by the main hospitals to support them during the pandemic, in terms of diagnostics etc. 

The exam will be exactly the same and your cardiologist will revise it virtually.