When it comes to diet during the pandemic, Verma realizes that less healthy comfort foods are usually attractive when we are under stress. “Don’t buy tempting foods to start with so that doesn’t become a problem,” she advises. “Give yourself some grace too – nobody is perfect. I like to work towards success with small goals in order to bring about sustainable long-term changes in lifestyle. If you can commit to one healthy meal a day to begin with, it will be easy to achieve, and you will feel great as you accomplish this goal. Then gradually do it two meals, etc. “
Those who contract COVID-19 may be exposed to cardiovascular effects that doctors are still learning about. “It can cause minor problems like heart palpitations or more serious problems like heart attacks,” says Verma. “Unfortunately, there is no good way to predict who is likely to have these complications, even though the underlying cardiovascular disease increases the risk. Many people also face symptoms after cardiovascular recovery from COVID-19 infection. “Verma sees these patients in a special cardiac clinic after COVID-19 for more than 30 days after the initial infection.
“I’ve found that a lot of the people who visit me had a relatively harmless course of COVID-19 – with no hospitalization or mild symptoms,” she says. “Then, however, they have heart symptoms that persist or develop in the weeks that follow, typically palpitations, high heart rate, low or high blood pressure, chest pain, shortness of breath, etc. Again, we have no good reason why this happens to some and not to others. We also don’t know how long these symptoms will last or whether they will go away completely. However, these are real symptoms that have a huge impact on the quality of life. “
