Dear Valued Patient,
In response to Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19 pandemic, Washington Metropolitan Cardiology and Loudoun Cardiology want to assure our patients and the community that we are closely monitoring the situation and following guidance from public health officials and Government agencies. Based on currently available information and clinical expertise, older adults and people with heart conditions, including heart failure, coronary artery disease, congenital heart disease, cardiomyopathies, and pulmonary hypertension, are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. While social distancing and other measures to prevent infection are of utmost importance, it is equally important to remain healthy and keep your pre-existing medical conditions well controlled. It is our recommendation that you continue your scheduled cardiac follow-ups.
Actions to take
- Call our office to schedule a Tele-visit
- Take your medication exactly as prescribed. Continue angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-I) or angiotensin-II receptor blockers (ARB) as prescribed by our physicians for indications such as heart failure or high blood pressure. This is recommended by current clinical guidelines.
- Make sure that you have at least a two-week supply of your heart disease medications (such as those to treat high cholesterol and high blood pressure).
- People with hypertension should continue to manage and control their blood pressure and take their medication as prescribed.
Why you might be at higher risk
COVID-19, like other viral illnesses such as the flu, can damage the respiratory system and make it harder for your heart to function. For people with heart failure and other serious heart conditions, this can lead to a worsening of COVID-19 symptoms.
Washington Metropolitan Cardiology and Loudoun Cardiology have implemented temporary changes to our protocols and schedules to keep our patients, staff, and community safe during this pandemic.
Tele-visits:
We are offering private and secure tele-medicine video visits (HIPAA Compliant) to our patients to ensure your cardiac care and communication with your cardiologist remains uninterrupted. Please call our office at 703-933-0700 or 703-665-2099 to schedule your telemedicine appointment(s).
Cardiac Imaging Services:
Starting the first week of June, 2020, we will resume cardiac imaging in both locations. To stay compliant with the CDC guidelines, we made updates to our imaging protocols. For your Cardiac Imaging Service appointment, please follow all guidance provided in the In-Office Visit section.
In-Office Visits:
Regular in-office visits are temporary placed on hold. However, an exception, on a case by case basis, can be made by our physicians to recommend scheduling an office visit. If you are asked to schedule an in-office visit, please follow the guidance below:
The safety of our patients and staff is our highest priority. Therefore, at the recommendation of CDC and prior to allowing patients to enter the reception area, we will be taking patients’ temperatures and asking the following screening questions:
- Have you traveled to a COVID-19 affected geographic area within 14 days of symptom onset? (China, Iran, S. Korea, Europe, cruise ship or any high-risk sites in U.S.)
- Have you had close contact with a person who traveled to high risk sites or has COVID-19?
- Do you have fever and respiratory symptoms such as cough or shortness of breath?
- If you answered yes to any of the above questions, please call our office so we can discuss with a cardiologist how best to take care of you.
All patients that require a visit to our office has to consider these questions prior to their appointment/visit. If you answered YES to any of these questions, please call our office to discuss with a cardiologist how best to take care of you.
To maintain social distancing within our facility, patients will be required to sit at least six feet or more apart and wear a face mask the entire time. Nuclear Stress Test patients may be asked to wait in the car if the maximum number of people in the waiting area has been exhausted.
As the situation with COVID-19 is rapidly evolving, please visit www.cdc.gov or call our office for most up-to-date information and guidance.