The Role of the American Heart Association in the Global COVID-19 Pandemic

作者：Mitchell S.V. Elkind, Robert A. Harrington, Ivor J. Benjamin · 发表于：Circulation · 年份：2020 · DOI：10.1161/circulationaha.120.046749 · 被引用次数：58 · 研究领域：Cardiovascular Health and Risk Factors、COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies、Cardiac Health and Mental Health

s the United States and the world confront the novel coronavirus (COV-ID-19) pandemic, the American Heart Association (AHA) and its thousands of science volunteers have an important role to play to help stop the spread.That may seem counterintuitive to some, considering that COVID-19 is an infectious disease and the AHA has spent the last nearly 100 years focused on noncommunicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), stroke, and other vascular disorders.However, COVID-19 is very much a concern of the AHA because patients with underlying cardiovascular conditions appear to face a greater risk of complications.In addition, as an organization dedicated to overall health and well-being, we are very concerned about significant domestic and global health problems. CONTAGIOUS INFECTIONS AND CVDEven before the first outbreak of COVID-19, the AHA and its professional members were aware of evidence suggesting that acute coronary events and strokes could be triggered by common infections. 1,2Respiratory and urinary tract infections, among others, have been associated with a short-term increase in the risk of myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke. 3Influenza in particular is associated with increased risk, and some clinical trials provide additional evidence that the influenza vaccination decreases cardiovascular risk. 1 Since 2006, the AHA and the American College of Cardiology have recommended that patients with CVD receive the influenza vaccination to prevent flu-rela...