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COVID-19 lockdown may increase cardiovascular disease risk factors
Daha Garba Muhammad1, Ibrahim Ahmad Abubakar2
1Department of Physiotherapy, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, Nigeria. dahagarba@gmail.com.
Insights
The COVID-19 lockdown led to increased sedentary lifestyles and substance abuse, raising the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). These negative impacts on cardiovascular health may persist even after the pandemic ends.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Cardiology
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic prompted global lockdowns and movement restrictions to curb virus spread.
- These measures, while necessary, inadvertently created conditions detrimental to cardiovascular health.
- Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain a leading cause of global mortality.
Discussion:
- Lockdowns correlated with increased sedentary behavior, alcohol consumption, and substance abuse.
- These behavioral changes are recognized risk factors for developing and exacerbating cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).
Key Insights:
- COVID-19 lockdowns have demonstrably increased risk factors associated with cardiovascular diseases.
- A potential rise in non-communicable disease (NCD)-related mortality, particularly from CVDs, is anticipated due to these lifestyle changes.
Outlook:
- The detrimental effects of pandemic-induced lifestyle changes on cardiovascular health may extend beyond the immediate lockdown period.
- Continued monitoring and intervention strategies are crucial to mitigate long-term cardiovascular risks in post-pandemic populations.
Background:
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2) and was declared a worldwide pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on 11 March 2020 which is leading to significant morbidity and mortality. In compliance with WHO recommendation of movement restrictions, many countries have imposed compulsory self-quarantine and restricted movements of their citizenries (lockdown/sit at home) and closure of businesses and borders as preventive measures to the fast-spreading virus. Consequently, this decision has made the emergence of behaviors that are detrimental to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) which are the leading cause of the global mortality rate.
Main Body:
The increase in sedentary lifestyles, alcohol consumption, and substance abuse during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown as a result of personal restrictions in COVID-19 lockdown is linked with the risk of death from chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).
Conclusion:
The lockdown has increased risk factors of CVDs, and as such, there might be an increase in the number of non-communicable disease (NCD)-related mortality rate. The effect does not end during the period of coronavirus pandemic but even after the pandemic.
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