You At Your Best

"The vast majority of people who have mild COVID infections really appear to have nothing to worry about with their hearts," he said. "That's good news, I think, and doesn't get emphasized enough." People with existing heart conditions or a history of stroke still need to protect themselves, and have many ways of doing so. "Number one: Get vaccinated," said Bozkurt, who has studied COVID-19 vaccine side effects. "And please, do get a booster." Reports of rare cases of vaccine- related myocarditis, particularly in younger males, should not dissuade anybody with an existing condition. Most people with pre-existing cardiovascular disease are not young adult males, she noted. And regardless of age, the benefits from vaccines outweigh the risks. Patients should avoid indoor crowds, he said, and use a KN95 mask or, when possible, an N95 mask instead of cloth masks when being in a crowd is necessary. Bozkurt said heart and stroke patients should keep in contact with their health care team and continue taking medications as prescribed. Anybody with symptoms that could be heart-related should seek care immediately. "Do not delay," she said. Both doctors said it was important to get information from reliable sources. Some false remedies promoted on social media can actually damage the heart, Bozkurt said. De Lemos acknowledged that even from reliable sources, advice can shift. "I would say that the information is written in pencil, not in pen, because things are changing so fast." It can be frustrating for him, even as a scientist, when experts disagree or alter their recommendations, but "that's the way science goes." And even as COVID-19 "remains a bizarrely arbitrary virus in terms of who gets sick and who doesn't," he's optimistic. "Think about all the progress we've made in a year or two, and the remarkable effect of the vaccines, the fact that we have drugs" that should help keep people out of hospitals. Heart and stroke patients need to be extra careful right now, but "as frustrating as it is, we will not be in this situation forever. We really won't." sPecial TO YOu aT YOur BesT Sleep is an often unsung hero of overall health. Diet and exercise get their fair share of glory, but without a good night's rest, even the most physically active, nutrition- conscious individuals are vulnerable to a host of ailments and illnesses. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, most adults need seven or more hours of sleep on a regular schedule each night. Athletes may even benefit from additional sleep. In fact, a 2011 study published in the journal Sleep examined the effects of sleep extension on the athletic performance of collegiate basketball players. That study found that athletes asked to extend their normal sleep times exhibited faster sprint times and increased free-throw accuracy and a reduction in fatigue at the end of the sleep extension period. Improved athletic performance is not the only way that sufficient sleep benefits the human body. Sufficient sleep and the immune system The Mayo Clinic notes that the immune system releases proteins called cytokines during sleep. The release of certain cytokines needs to increase when individuals are experiencing infections or inflammation, which is one reason why doctors often recommend extra sleep to sick patients. Without adequate sleep, the immune system may not produce enough cytokines, and that can increase the frequency with which individuals get sick. Sufficient sleep and weight gain The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health reports there is mounting evidence to suggest a link between insufficient sleep and weight gain and obesity. Studies exploring this potential link have been conducted for decades and have examined how sleep affects people of all ages and genders. At the 2006 American Thoracic Society International Conference, researchers who had tracked women's sleep habits for 16 years found that those who slept just six hours per night were 12 percent more likely to experience major weight gain than women who slept seven hours per night. Experts aren't entirely sure why this relationship exists, but the results of various studies support the idea that insufficient sleep is a potential catalyst for gaining weight. Sufficient sleep and chronic disease The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that insufficient sleep has been linked to the development and management of various chronic diseases. For example, the CDC indicates that insufficient sleep has been linked to an increased risk for type 2 diabetes. In addition, the CDC reports that instances of hypertension, stroke, coronary heart disease, and irregular heartbeat are more common among individuals with disordered sleep than they are among people without such sleep abnormalities. Sleep is not often mentioned alongside diet and exercise as a vital component of overall health. But a good night's rest is no less vital to long-term health than a healthy diet and physical activity. zzzzzz's More reasons to get your sunDaY, FeBruarY 27 2022 | March - Wellness YOuaTYOurBesT.nWaOnline.cOM | YOu aT YOur BesT | 7

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