Vulnerability to Covid-19 in older adults suffering from cardiovascular disease

• Main Authors: Luis Alcides Vázquez-González, Miguel Miguel-Betancourt, Miguel Angel Machado-Rojas, Leidys Torres-Velázquez, Liz Mary Álvarez-Pupo, Abel Pantoja-Hernández
• Format: Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Pinar del Río 2020-10-01
• Series: Universidad Médica Pinareña
• Subjects: síndrome respiratorio agudo grave; anciano; enfermedades cardiovasculares; factores de riesgo.
• Online Access: http://revgaleno.sld.cu/index.php/ump/article/view/601

Introduction: the identification of vulnerable population groups through active surveys is aimed at preventing contagion through different measures or interventions. Objective: to characterize vulnerable older adults to Covid-19 with a personal pathological history of cardiovascular diseases. Method: an observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted at No-3 Family Doctor’s Office belonging to Manuel Piti Fajardo Rivero University Polyclinic in Las Tunas province, including the period defined between March and July 2020. The target group included 90 old people from 65 years or older having a personal pathological history of cardiovascular disease, working with all of them. Results: it was found a predominance of female sex (70 %) and the age group from 65 to 70 (35,6 %). According to personal medical history, 100 % of older adults were hypertensive, and 70 % suffered from cardiovascular diseases other than hypertension; 85,7 % of the patients maintained a standard therapeutic adherence to the treatments for the underlying diseases; 60 % of the patients were compensated during the period studied. Conclusions: the vulnerable older adults having a history of cardiovascular diseases were mainly female. Hypertension was shown as the main cardiovascular antecedent. Standard therapeutic adherence and stable underlying diseases were common in these patients.