Richard Becker, MD, director of the University of Cincinnati Heart, Lung and Vascular Institute and UC Health cardiologist, spoke with Fox 19 about promoting heart health in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. February is American Heart Month and cardiologists are trying to remind the public of the dangers of heart disease. In 2019, before COVID-19 emerged, the nation recorded 659,041 deaths from heart disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Statisticians at the CDC say early statistics suggest COVID-19 is the third leading cause of death in 2020.
"Within the last year there was a period time where COVID-19 was the leading cause of death surpassing cardiovascular disease for the first time since 1918 when we had the Spanish influenza epidemic," says Becker, adding that heart disease has now regained its number one status.
Listen to the full interview on Fox 19 with Richard Becker, MD.
Learn more about heart health during American Heart Month.
Featured image of Richard Becker, MD, shown in the UC College of Medicine. Photo by Colleen Kelley/UC Creative + Brand.
