There is no evidence that people having suffered a stroke will have a higher risk of presenting more severe cases of infection by COVID-19, except for those patients with sequelae of that disease, such as difficulty swallowing. However, strokes are more frequent in men over 65 and also in hypertensive individuals and with higher risk of cardiac disease, which coincide with the known risk factors of more serious infection by COVID-19. Be alert to the signs of stroke Even during COVID-19 pandemics and in spite of the state of emergency, it is very important to be alert to the possible signs of stroke, for instance the abrupt onset of symptoms, such as: Facial asymmetry; Difficulty speaking; Loss of strength in an arm and / or leg. Facing these symptoms, have no fear and call immediately 112 (emergency number) or go as rapidly as possible to an emergency service. The success of acute stroke treatment depends on the time the person takes to get to the hospital, therefore, do not wait! The treatment of acute stroke is an emergency and continues to be provided in areas of hospital units and emergency services not dedicated to respiratory patients. Precautions to take by those who have already suffered a stroke Maintain measures of contact restraining similar to those of the general population; Maintain and carry on the therapeutics in progress; Do not smoke and limit the consumption of alcohol; If you were following a program of daily rehabilitation, you should adapt it to the conditions of confinement, but not suspend it – there are distance rehabilitation programs, or, at least, maintain a routine of exercises adapted to be made at home. Consequences of COVID-19 infection in people who have suffered a stroke Symptoms similar to those of the flu (fever, cough, muscle pain, fatigue, shortness of breath); The previous difficulties related to the stroke can temporarily aggravate – you may note more difficulty moving the member of the body affected or feel more numbness or greater difficulty speaking, but the occurrence of different symptoms is not common. Recommendations during COVID-19 infection for people who suffered a stroke Maintain good hydration and control fever with analgesic; If you undergo anticoagulant therapy, be aware that some anti-inflammatory may interfere with anticoagulants; in case of doubt, contact your doctor; If you have arterial hypertension, do a more frequent monitoring of blood pressure; Stroke survivors with difficulty swallowing have a higher risk of developing respiratory difficulty during COVID-19 infection; be especially alert to symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath; Follow the recommendations of the General Directorate for Health and the orientation of your health team; Be particularly attentive to the evolution of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 infection. If there is clinical aggravation, contact the health teams. Author : Nuno Inácio Meet the Neurology team of Hospital da Luz network . Click here for more information and advice from Hospital da Luz about the epidemics by the new coronavirus COVID-19. The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
