Dear patients and friends:
We are pleased to be open and serving new and existing patients. As you know, we are taking extra precautions for safety.
However, there is new information that some additional individuals are at increased risk of serious illness with COVID-19 and should delay their appointments further.
If you are over 65, or of any age with chronic health conditions, including diabetes, heart or lung disease, or you take immunosuppressive drugs or certain blood pressure medicines, you should reschedule appointments, and take extra precautions to avoid exposure to COVID-19.
Below is the https://www.cdc.gov/ information advising who is at increased risk of serious illness with COVID-19.
Below the CDC information is a list of blood pressure medications that are associated with more complications with COVID-19 infections. Please review the below information, and if it applies to you take extra precautions as indicated for you and your family.
Groups at Higher Risk for Severe Illness (from the CDC)
COVID-19 is a new disease and there is limited information regarding risk factors for severe disease. Based on currently available information and clinical expertise, older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions might be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
Based on what we know now, those at high-risk for severe illness from COVID-19 are:
- People 65 years and older
- People who live in a nursing home or long-term care facility
People of all ages with underlying medical conditions, particularly if not well controlled, including:
- People with chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma
- People who have serious heart conditions
- People who are immunocompromised
- Many conditions can cause a person to be immunocompromised, including cancer treatment, smoking, bone marrow or organ transplantation, immune deficiencies, poorly controlled HIV or AIDS, and prolonged use of corticosteroids and other immune weakening medications
- People with severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 40 or higher)
- People with diabetes
- People with chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis
- People with liver disease
Blood Pressure Medicines information (not from CDC)
The following drugs are used for high blood pressure and some in diabetics. There appears to be more serious response to Coronavirus in people on those drugs. If you or family member are on these drugs take extra precautions to avoid contracting coronavirus.
One researcher Diaz says, “Patients treated with ACEIs and ARBs (see lists below) for cardiovascular diseases should not stop taking their medicine, but should avoid crowds, mass events, ocean cruises, prolonged air travel, and all persons with respiratory illnesses during the current COVID-19 outbreak in order to reduce their risks of infection.”
ARBs Angiotensin receptor blockers:
- azilsartan (Edarbi)
- candesartan (Atacand)
- eprosartan (Teveten)
- irbesartan (Avapro)
- telmisartan (Micardis)
- valsartan (Diovan, Prexxartan)
- losartan (Cozaar)
- lmesartan (Benicar)
ACE Inhibitors:
- benazepril hydrochloride (Lotensin)
- captopril (Capoten)
- enalapril maleate (Vasotec)
- fosinopril sodium (monopril)
- lisinopril (Prinivel, Zestril)
- moexipril (Univasc)
- perindopril (Aceon)
- quinapril hydrochloride (Accupril)
- ramipril (Altace)
- trandolapril (Mavik)
Please review the above CDC information and blood pressure medicines that are of concern, and if applicable, reschedule your appointments.
We pray for our patients regularly and will continue. We will get through this, and look forward to seeing you soon.
Keep positive, keep smiling, and keep following safe hygiene and self-care. The CDC is recommending homemade facemasks in public, especially where social distancing is difficult.
You can refer to the last Prolonews e mail for suggestions for immune boosting supplements.
Blessings to you all,
Dr. George Kramer and Kristin
May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that your entire outlook may be overflow with Hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13