---
title: "Protecting Your Heart Health During the COVID Pandemic | Sutter Health"
description: "A CPMC cardiologist explains how pandemic lifestyle changes raise blood pressure risk, plus simple steps you can take to protect your heart health."
url: "https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/perspectives/stay-on-top-of-your-heart-health-during-covid-19-part-i"
---

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3.  Stay On Top Of Your Heart Health During Covid 19 Part I

# Stay on Top of Your Heart Health During COVID-19, Part I

A CPMC cardiologist explains how pandemic lifestyle changes raise blood pressure risk, plus simple steps you can take to protect your heart health.

August 27, 2020 by Ashley Boarman

![Stay on Top of Your Heart Health During COVID-19, Part I](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/Vitals/perspectives/iStock-1145251837-7654ceae.jpg?h=483&iar=0&w=723 "Stay on Top of Your Heart Health During COVID-19, Part I")

The pandemic has understandably transformed many of us into housebound creatures, oftentimes moving less and eating more.

“It’s created the perfect storm for developing high blood pressure. For those who are already hypertensive, their blood pressure can get out of control,” says **Michael X. Pham**, **M.D**., **M.P.H.**, chief of cardiology with [Sutter’s California Pacific Medical Center](https://www.sutterhealth.org/cpmc) in San Francisco.

People may be exercising less, can be generally feeling more stress, and may lack the normal outlets to decompress, including time with family and friends, travel, attending sporting events or going to the movies.

“People are also eating less healthy,” says Dr. Pham. They may be ordering takeout more often or eating processed foods because they last longer and require fewer trips to the store.

But there’s hope for our hearts! Dr. Pham says healthy eating and exercise can help prevent, manage, and stave off high blood pressure. “Even small changes can make a difference,” says Dr. Pham.

**Blood Pressure Basics**

Blood pressure readings have two numbers—systolic and diastolic. For example, a blood pressure number would be written 118/78 mm Hg. The top number (systolic) accounts for the pressure when the heart beats. The bottom number (diastolic), accounts for the pressure between heart beats.

A person will be diagnosed with high blood pressure if their systolic blood is 130 or higher and their diastolic is 80 or higher. A blood pressure reading of 120/80 mm Hg or lower is [considered normal](https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/understanding-blood-pressure-readings).

“If a patient’s blood pressure is high or borderline, it’s a warning sign,” says Dr. Pham.

**High Blood Pressure Puts Your Heart at Risk**

A person’s blood pressure rises and falls throughout the day, but, if it stays high for a long time, that person may have the medical condition of high blood pressure, also known as hypertension.

Hypertension can cause heart disease or kidney disease—and may lead to heart attack, stroke or even death.

“High blood pressure doesn’t usually cause symptoms—it’s a silent disease. Most people don’t know they have it until they go to their healthcare provider for a routine visit,” says Dr. Pham.

**Safe Care Sites**

For hypertensive patients, regular blood pressure checks allow your care team to monitor your treatment plan and the effectiveness of your medications. For those whose blood pressure is under control, preventative care is still important.

Sutter Health’s integrated network has convenient care options available to help you stay on top of your health.

In-person: Sutter care sites have implemented safety measures to help reduce the risk of COVID-19 exposure. These include, but are not limited to: extra cleaning, screenings before entry, and mandatory masking.

Online: Sutter care sites also offer convenient access to [video visits](https://www.sutterhealth.org/video-visits) for those who don’t want to come into an office environment and don’t need direct contact. Video visits allow your doctor to see, hear and talk with you as they would during an in-person visit.

## Topics

[Blood Pressure](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/search?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_healthTopics.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Blood+Pressure%22%5D%7D%5D&verticalKey=articles)[Heart health](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/search?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_healthTopics.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Heart+health%22%5D%7D%5D&verticalKey=articles)

## Heart and vascular

Your heart and blood vessels keep every part of your body working as it should. If you're dealing with high blood pressure or heart disease, our specialists can provide expert care and treatment.

[Learn more about Heart and vascular](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/heart-and-vascular)

## Related articles

### [Stay on Top of Your Heart Health During COVID-19, Part II](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/perspectives/stay-on-top-of-your-heart-health-during-covid-19-part-ii)

### [Her Head Start Leads to Investments for Healthier Communities](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/community-impact/leaders-head-start-leads-to-investments-in-healthier-communities)

### [It takes a team: Spotlight on Sacramento hospital’s heart valve care](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/our-people/spotlight-on-sacramento-hospital-heart-valve-care)

### [Sutter’s CPMC Earns Highest Cardiac Certification](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/our-people/sutters-cpmc-earns-highest-cardiac-certification)

[See all from Perspectives](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/perspectives)

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