We've all been through the Covid pandemic. Some people had a bit of a hard time, some people just had a cold and it went away. However, after recovering from Covid, some people still feel unwell. "Doctor, I'm not feeling like I used to, I'm a little tired now," "My chest feels a little tight," do you also feel this? So today, let's talk about the relationship between Covid-19 and our heart. Is this something to be afraid of? What do we need to know? Let's talk about all this clearly and simply.
Does Covid-19 really affect the heart?
The simple answer is, yes, it can . Whether you have a severe case of COVID-19 or a mild case and recover, there is a chance that you will develop heart problems. This does not mean that you will have a heart attack. But the risk may be slightly increased.
Think about it, most of the time, the virus that causes Covid doesn't go directly to the heart muscle and infect it. That happens very rarely. But something else happens. When the virus enters our body, our body's immune system starts a fight against it. It is because of some of the reactions that occur in this fight that our heart can be damaged.
You should be a little more careful, especially if you have a pre-existing heart condition (`(Cardiovascular disease)`), risk factors like high blood pressure (`(High blood pressure)`), diabetes (`(Diabetes)`), obesity (`(Obesity)`), or cholesterol).
How does Covid-19 affect our cardiovascular system?
During COVID-19 infection, the heart can be affected. One of the main things is damage to the heart muscle (`Myocardial injury`). Simply put, this is the death of heart muscle cells. Some people do not show any symptoms when this damage occurs. But others may experience symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath (dyspnea), or swelling of the legs. A doctor can diagnose this condition with blood tests and heart scans.
Inflammation is the root of everything.
Research has found that the main cause of heart damage due to Covid is excessive inflammation in the body, that is, inflammation.
Think of it this way. When a virus enters our body, our body's defenses, the immune system, prepare to fight. The body produces small proteins called cytokines that help in this fight. This is usually a good thing.
However, in some people, this response becomes too severe. It's like bringing a large army to a small battle. This is called `(Cytokine release syndrome)` or `(Cytokine storm).` This excessive inflammation can damage not only our heart, but also our blood vessels.
What can happen to the heart due to this excessive inflammation?
This `(Cytokine storm)` can affect our cardiovascular system in various ways. Let's take a look at the main effects.
| Possible situation | Simply put... |
|---|---|
| Heartbeat irregularities (Arrhythmia) | Inflammation can disrupt the heart's electrical signaling system, causing the heart to beat irregularly, fast, slow, or irregularly. |
| Blood clots | When inflammation affects the inner walls of our blood vessels, the risk of blood clots increases. If these blood clots travel to the heart or brain, they can cause a heart attack or stroke. |
| Inflammation of the heart muscle (Myocarditis) | This is when the heart muscle becomes inflamed. This condition is common among people with COVID. |
| Inflammation of the membrane surrounding the heart (pericarditis) | The protective membrane around the heart becomes swollen. This can cause chest pain and fluid buildup around the heart. |
| Heart failure | This is not a heart attack. This is a condition in which the heart is unable to pump enough blood to the body. This can cause fluid to build up in the lungs and body, causing swelling in the legs and feet. |
Don't delay seeking medical advice!
Knowing all this can be a little scary. But the most important thing is to pay attention to your body and seek medical advice when necessary.
During the pandemic, many people were afraid to go to the hospital or see a doctor. But it's even more dangerous to ignore symptoms that could be life-threatening because of that fear.
If you suddenly experience severe chest pain, severe difficulty breathing, or a feeling of numbness in one arm, go to the nearest hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) immediately. Getting treatment quickly at this time can prevent serious damage to your heart.
Also, don't skip your regular medical checkups. If you develop any new symptoms, talk to your doctor about them. If you've had COVID, tell him or her how it's affected your body.
'Long COVID' and heart problems
Some people continue to have some symptoms for weeks or months after they recover from COVID. This is called `Long COVID` or `(Post-acute coronavirus syndrome)`. If you are still having problems four weeks after you have COVID, it could be `Long COVID`.
There are several symptoms that may be related to the heart in this `Long COVID` situation:
- Chest pain that increases when taking a deep breath.
- Feeling your heart beating fast or pounding (`(Heart palpitations)`).
- Rapid heartbeat (Tachycardia).
- Feeling dizzy or faint.
- Even a little exercise can cause a lot of fatigue.
If you have any of these symptoms, don't panic and talk to your doctor right away. He or she can perform tests like an EKG or an Echocardiogram to check how your heart is working.
Does Covid affect other organs in the body?
Yes. The Covid virus can affect not only the heart, but also other vital organs like the lungs, brain, and kidneys.
The reason for this is that the Covid virus uses something called `(ACE2 receptors)` to enter the cells of our body. These `(ACE2 receptors)` are like a `key` that opens the door for the virus to enter the cells. These `keys` are abundant in our heart, lungs, blood vessels, and kidneys. Therefore, it is easy for the virus to damage these organs.
- Lungs: Severe COVID infections can cause the lung tissue to thicken and become scarred. This is called ``Fibrosis''.
- Brain: A decrease in the amount of oxygen the brain needs can cause brain damage.
- Kidneys: COVID can also cause kidney failure.
Therefore, it is very important to protect yourself from the COVID-19 virus. This risk can be reduced by following good health practices such as getting vaccinated, wearing a mask when necessary, and washing your hands frequently.
Recovering from COVID is not easy. It is normal to feel heavy when you think about such heart problems even after that. But don't be afraid to talk openly with your doctor about your problems. Follow his advice and get the treatment right. You will recover soon.
Take-Home Message
- Covid-19 infection, even mild, can affect the heart.
- The main reason for this is the excessive inflammation caused by the virus in the body, not the virus directly infecting the heart.
- If you have other diseases like diabetes or high blood pressure, your risk is slightly higher.
- Never ignore symptoms like sudden chest pain or difficulty breathing. Go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
- If you are still experiencing unusual fatigue, shortness of breath, or chest pain four weeks after your COVID recovery (Long COVID), talk to your doctor about it.
- It's best to talk to a doctor about your health concerns without fear.
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