COVID-19 and
heart disease
COVID-19 and heart disease
NATIONAL HEART FOUNDATION OF AUSTRALIA ABN 98 008 419 761
For heart health information and support, call our Helpline on 13 11 12 or visit heartfoundation.org.au
All you need to know.
For information or support call 13 11 12 between 9am - 5pm, Mon - Sun
All you need to know
Helpline 13 11 12
Professor Garry Jennings AO
Cardiologist & Chief Medical Advisor
Heart Foundation
The cross-over between the current COVID-19 pandemic and influenza (flu) season makes it even more important for vulnerable groups to get their flu vaccine.
The flu can trigger heart attacks. Getting the flu vaccine helps to prevent influenza infection, and can help to prevent heart attacks.
To get your flu vaccine, call your GP or pharmacist to book an appointment.
Maintain your current treatment and medication plan. Continue taking your medicines as prescribed, including those used to manage your blood pressure.
It's important that you stay connected with your doctor as needed.
New arrangements mean you can contact your doctor remotely and have your medicines delivered to your home.
For more information on how to access these services call our
Helpline on 13 11 12.
Get your flu vaccine
Keep looking after your heart and stay connected with your doctor
Yes, our health system is busy dealing with COVID-19. However, your heart health matters and medical emergencies still require urgent care.
Get medical help if the symptoms of your heart condition become severe or become worse quickly.
Are you experiencing the symptoms of a heart attack?
Call triple zero (000) immediately.
Don’t ignore a medical emergency
The COVID-19 pandemic is disrupting many aspects of our daily lives and routines; this makes it harder to keep active, eat well and stay socially connected.
All these things are vital for looking after your heart health and reducing your risk of heart disease.
Stay informed - sign up below to get our tips and advice on staying heart healthy while at home.
Stay active and eat healthy foods
More information and FAQs
To avoid COVID-19 infection, it is very important to practice good hygiene and social distancing. Here are some easy to follow tips:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue
- Use alcohol-based hand sanitisers
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
- Practice physical distancing to limit close contact
For more information on COVID-19, visit the Department of Health website.
Keep your distance and practice good hygiene
That’s why it’s so important to practice social distancing to avoid infection. If you become infected with COVID-19, this may worsen existing heart conditions, such as heart failure and you could also be at higher risk of having a heart attack.
Information about the links between heart disease and COVID-19 is rapidly changing.
To stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, follow the simple steps below, as suggested by Professor Garry Jennings, Cardiologist and Chief Medical Advisor Heart Foundation.
Keep your distance and practice
good hygiene
To avoid COVID-19 infection, it is very important to practice good hygiene and social distancing. Here are some easy to follow tips:
Wash your hands often with soap and water .
Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue.
Use alcohol-based hand sanitisers.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth .
Practice physical distancing to limit
close contact.
For more information on COVID-19, visit the Department of Health website.
Professor Garry Jennings AO
Cardiologist & Chief Medical Advisor
Heart Foundation
Get your flu vaccine
The cross-over between the current COVID-19 pandemic and influenza (flu) season makes it even more important for vulnerable groups to get their flu vaccine.
The flu can trigger heart attacks. Getting the flu vaccine helps to prevent influenza infection, and can help to prevent heart attacks.
To get your flu vaccine, call your GP or pharmacist to book an appointment.
Keep looking after your heart and stay connected with your doctor
Maintain your current treatment and medication plan.
Continue taking your medicines as prescribed, including those used to manage your blood pressure.
It's important that you stay connected with your doctor as needed.
New arrangements mean you can contact your doctor remotely and have your medicines delivered to your home.
For more information on how to access these services call our Helpline on 13 11 12.
Don’t ignore a medical emergency
Yes, our health system is busy dealing with COVID-19. However, your heart health matters and medical emergencies still require
urgent care.
Get medical help if the symptoms of your heart condition become severe or become worse quickly.
Are you experiencing the symptoms of a heart attack?
Call triple zero (000) immediately.
Stay active and eat healthy foods
The COVID-19 pandemic is disrupting many aspects of our daily lives and routines; this makes it harder to keep active, eat well and stay socially connected.
All these things are vital for looking after your heart health and reducing your risk of
heart disease.
Stay informed - sign up below to get our tips and advice on staying heart healthy while you're at home.
More information
COVID-19 & heart medications
COVID-19 & heart medications
That’s why it’s so important to practice social distancing to avoid infection. If you become infected with COVID-19, this may worsen existing heart conditions, such as heart failure and you could also be at higher risk of having a heart attack.
To help stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, follow the simple steps below, as suggested by Professor Garry Jennings, Cardiologist and Heart Foundation’s Chief Medical Advisor.
People living with heart disease are more vulnerable to severe complications from the novel coronavirus (also called COVID-19).
People living with heart disease are more vulnerable to severe complications from the novel coronavirus (also called COVID-19).
