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Cardiovascular Health, Nutrition and Physical Activity: What's New
Blood Pressure Can Affect Your Brain Health
It is normal for your brain to change as you get older. Having healthy blood pressure can lower your risk for memory loss and confusion. Follow your healthcare provider's guidance to manage your blood pressure.
For more information about blood pressure, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention high blood pressure website.
View full "Healthy Blood Pressure. Healthy Brain" infographic
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Information
COVID-19 is an illness caused by a virus. It spreads easily between people, and can cause fever, coughing, and trouble breathing, as well as other symptoms.
What should people with chronic diseases know about COVID-19?
Anyone can get sick from COVID-19, but people who are older than 65 and people of any age who have a serious chronic disease are the most likely to become very ill or die.
People who have one or more of these chronic conditions should be extra careful to protect their health from COVID-19:
- Asthma and lung disease;
- Heart disease;
- Unmanaged diabetes;
- Severe obesity (BMI of more than 40); and/or
- Weakened immune system because of diseases like HIV or because of cancer treatments.
What can people with chronic diseases and their families do to protect themselves from COVID-19?
Making healthier choices every day can help people prevent and improve their chronic disease, as well as their well-being overall. Some of the most important healthy choices include quitting tobacco use, getting more physical activity, and eating nutritious meals and snacks.
People with chronic diseases must be sure to:
- Take regular medications on time and as directed. (Reach out to your healthcare provider to ask about obtaining an extra supply of medications in case you cannot get to the pharmacy or clinic.)
- Make time to keep measuring your blood pressure if you have hypertension or your blood sugar if you have diabetes.
- Use the telemedicine/telehealth option for a regular medical visit. (Your healthcare provider can tell you if your insurance company offers this option.)
If you or a family member starts to get a fever, cough, or shortness of breath, it may be because of COVID-19. This is what you should do next:
- Take steps to protect your family members from getting sick. (Read the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention fact sheet on how to keep your family safe.)
- Call your healthcare provider and follow their advice on what to do next. Do not go to the Emergency Room unless your provider tells you to do so.
- If you have a job or go to school, let them know that you are sick. Do not go to work or school.
Please Note: This COVID-19 information is taken from the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors fact sheet entitled "Chronic Disease and COVID-19: What You Need to Know." The entire fact sheet, which includes additional facts about COVID-19, is available for download as a PDF file.
Additional COVID-19 Resources
- Michigan.gov/Coronavirus (website from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services)
- CDC.gov/Coronavirus (website from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
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