Guy Mintz, MD: Practicing Cardiology During COVID-19

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been a time unlike any others for all health care professionals.

While doctors and clinicians have found themselves on the front lines of this pandemic, others have been busy researching every possible aspect of the novel disease. Under normal circumstances, it would sometimes take weeks or months for research to appear in major journals—now, the greater challenge for clinicians lies in keeping up with the vast amount of information.

For cardiologists, in particular, this has been an uphill challenge. It seems with every passing month, researchers and cardiologists have identified a new, troubling development in the disease course of COVID-19. From drops in STEMI rates because of fear of COVID-19 to concern over increased risk of stroke and multiple other issues, links between cardiovascular health and COVID-19 are continuing to be unearthed thanks to tireless efforts of the medical community as a whole.

One of those cardiologists is Guy Mintz, MD, director of Cardiovascular Health and Lipidology at North Shore University Hospital. Practicing in the Greater New York City area, Mintz has had a unique perspective on the ever-changing landscape that has defined 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic.

To educate colleagues and fellow clinicians about what he has experienced during the ongoing pandemic, Mintz, who is also chief of Practical Cardiology’s Editorial Advisory Board, took time to speak with Practical Cardiology about his experiences and his biggest concerns moving forward.