COVID-19 (the CORONAVIRUS) and SCAD

Update 10th June 2020

First and foremost we would like to send our very best wishes to everyone in the SCAD-community, their friends and families. It has been a challenging time for us all but we are all hopeful that things are now improving.

As the lock-down eases, we are aware that many SCAD-survivors are being asked to return to work and so we wanted to update our advice on COVID-19 and SCAD which we hope will help.

As you are all aware the risk of COVID-19 infection is now falling as the community prevalence (how many people are currently infected) falls. As such the government, advised by Public Health England, have begun easing restrictions. For most SCAD-survivors (who do not have other major health issues and who have normal or near normal heart function), the risk of complications arising from the COVID-19 infection is likely to be very close to people who have not had SCAD. This is distinct from the high risk patients (the elderly with and those with multiple or severe health problems) who are in the higher risk ‘shielding’ group. Therefore most SCAD patients are low-risk and it is appropriate to follow the advice for the general population.

1.       Keep taking your medications. There have been a few inevitable scare stories about some drugs but these are unproven and in the case of ACE-inhibitors (drugs ending in –pril) and ARBs (drugs ending in –sartan), there is growing evidence that they are FALSE.

1.        Face-coverings should be worn on public transport and on visits to hospital from the 15th June as per government guidelines but also consider wearing also in public places, particularly if you are likely to come within 2 metres of other people.
2.        Maintain good hand hygiene and minimise face-touching

It is now reasonable to work with your employers on a return to work plan. All employers should be taking measures appropriate to limiting social contacts and protecting employees with prior health problems. Do not be embarrassed to make your employer or occupational health team aware you have had a SCAD. In most cases this will not change the measures that need to be taken and you will simply need to follow good practice as for the general population.

There will be a small group of SCAD-survivors who either have additional health problems or who have sustained significant heart damage at the time of their SCAD and have reduced heart function. These patients may have received a shielding letter from their GP or a letter from their cardiologist or the SCAD team. These patients should continue to follow the advice for people shielding which at the time of writing permits outdoor exercise and maintained social distancing.

We remain happy to give individualised advice. Please use the SCAD information email (SCAD Mailbox SCAD@uhl-tr.nhs.uk)

If you do become unwell, isolate (as per advice) and contact NHS 111 or the online NH11 service. Stay warm and hydrated and use paracetamol as per the packet guidelines on dose (presuming you do not take this already in other preparations) to control fever.

Best wishes

Dr Dave Adlam and the SCAD team