Covid-19: what it means if you have a heart condition

Who is at risk of serious illness from Covid-19?

Most people who catch Covid-19 have mild symptoms and make a full recovery. However, some people are more likely to experience severe complications from Covid-19.

This includes:

• people with a heart or circulatory condition
• people with a weakened immune system
• people aged over 75
• pregnant people.

If you’re at a higher risk, you may be eligible for a Covid-19 vaccine. This is the best form of protection against serious illness from Covid-19, so it’s important to stay up to date with any vaccinations you are offered.

• Find out more about the Covid-19 vaccine and who is eligible.

What are Covid-19 symptoms?

The symptoms of Covid-19 can seem similar to the symptoms of a cold or the flu. According to the NHS, common symptoms include:

• a high temperature or shivering (chills)
• a new cough that has you coughing for more than an hour, or you have 3 or more episodes of coughing in one day
• loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
• shortness of breath
• feeling tired
• muscle aches
• a headache
• a sore throat
• a blocked or runny nose
• diarrhoea
• feeling or being sick.

Most people with the virus feel better after a couple of weeks.

However, in some cases, symptoms can last much longer. This is known as 'long Covid’.

• Read more about long Covid. 

What should you do if you have Covid-19?

If you have symptoms of Covid-19, try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people until you feel better, to reduce the risk of spreading the virus to other people.

Under UK government rules, you’re no longer required to do a lateral flow test if you have symptoms of Covid-19.

However you may be able to get a test for free if you have a health condition that puts you at high risk of serious illness with Covid-19.

If you do test positive for Covid-19, the NHS recommends:

• avoiding contact with everyone for 5 days after your test
• avoiding contact with people at higher risk from Covid-19 for 10 days after your test.

Call your GP, 111 or hospital specialist as soon as possible if you test positive and have been classed as very vulnerable to Covid-19.

They may prescribe antiviral medicines which can prevent you from becoming seriously ill.

While not everyone with a heart condition will be eligible for these medicines, you may be prescribed them if you’ve had an organ transplant, take medicine that affects your immune system, or had cancer treatment in recent months.

Can you take antiviral drugs with heart medicines?

Some antiviral medicines are not recommended if you’re taking certain heart medicines.

If you’re eligible for antivirals and you have told your GP surgery, NHS 111 or hospital specialist that you’ve tested positive for Covid-19, they’ll assess or refer you to an assessment to decide which treatment is right for you.

Make sure to tell them about your existing medicines, so they can give you the right antiviral medicine and instructions on how to take it safely.

Do not stop taking your usual medicines if you have Covid-19, unless your doctor has told you otherwise.

How can Covid-19 symptoms be managed?

If you have mild Covid-19 symptoms, there are ways to manage them at home and feel more comfortable.

The most important things to do are rest, make sure you’re eating regularly and drink plenty of fluids.

Try having soup and warm drinks for more energy, and avoid caffeine, sugar and unhealthy foods.

If you have a high temperature, you might get some relief if you:

• get lots of sleep and rest
• drink lots of water
• take paracetamol or ibuprofen.

And if you have a cough, you can try:

• lifting your head and shoulders with pillows or sit upright in a chair
• having a spoon of honey, alone or with hot lemon water
• breathing slowly in through your nose and out through your mouth.

What to read next...