Have you also had COVID-19 and recovered? Or has anyone you know suffered from COVID-19? One of the things that is being talked about a lot these days is whether COVID-19 can have any effect on the heart. This is really something to think about. Let's talk about this in detail and simply today, shall we?
Can COVID-19 cause heart disease?
Yes, in fact, when you get COVID-19, whether it's a mild illness or a more severe one, you may be at increased risk of having a heart attack or heart failure. It's very rare for the virus that causes COVID-19 to directly infect the heart muscle. But the problems this virus causes throughout the body can damage the heart.
Even someone who has never had heart disease before can still develop heart problems after COVID-19. But if you already have a heart condition, or cardiovascular disease , you are at higher risk. And if you have risk factors like high blood pressure , diabetes , obesity , or high cholesterol, you are also at higher risk of developing serious complications. COVID-19 can affect the heart both while the virus is in the body and after it has left the body.
How does COVID-19 affect your cardiovascular system?
Some heart problems – such as damage to the heart muscle – can develop when you have COVID-19. This damage to the heart muscle (myocardial injury) is the death of heart muscle cells. Sometimes people with this type of damage don’t show any symptoms. Others may experience symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath (dyspnea) , or swelling in the legs. A doctor can diagnose this with blood tests and cardiac imaging .
Researchers are still trying to figure out how many people with COVID-19 develop myocardial injury. Roughly speaking, it's estimated that anywhere from 7% to 40% of people will develop this condition. It's most common in people who are sick enough to need intensive care unit (ICU) care. If your heart is damaged, you're at higher risk of complications as your body fights the virus.
How does inflammation caused by COVID-19 damage the heart?
Research suggests that the main cause of heart damage from COVID-19 is a condition called inflammation . When you first get the infection, your immune system becomes activated. This causes the production of inflammatory cells and cytokines . Cytokines are small proteins that trigger the immune response. In fact, this inflammation, or inflammation, is a process that our bodies need and that helps them.
However, COVID-19 causes some people to have too much inflammation in their bodies. This condition is called cytokine release syndrome or 'cytokine storm' . This is often seen in severe cases of COVID-19. This excessive inflammation can damage your cardiovascular system in a number of ways. For example:
- Arrhythmia: This inflammation can alter the electrical signals in the heart. As a result, the heart may lose its normal rhythm. If you already have an arrhythmia, this cytokine storm can make it worse.
- Blood Clots: When inflammation affects the inner lining (endothelium) of your blood vessels, there is an increased risk of blood clots, heart attack, or stroke.
- Myocarditis: This is an inflammation of the heart muscle. People with COVID-19 are at higher risk of developing myocarditis than those without COVID-19.
- Pericarditis: This is an inflammation of the membrane that surrounds the heart. This can cause chest pain and fluid buildup around the heart.
- Heart Failure: This is caused by an unnecessary accumulation of fluid and swelling (edema) in the lungs and body.
People with heart disease or risk factors are at higher risk
Many people hospitalized with COVID-19 have underlying heart problems. Also, people with cardiovascular disease are more likely to develop cytokine storm.
If you have any of the following conditions, you are at higher risk of developing complications from COVID-19:
- Heart Failure
- Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
- Cardiomyopathy
- Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
- Diabetes (Diabetes Mellitus)
- Overweight/Obesity
- If you have had a previous stroke
- High blood pressure (Hypertension)
- Sickle Cell Disease
- Thalassemias
Can COVID-19 cause a heart attack or stroke?
COVID-19 may increase your risk of having a heart attack or stroke, especially if you've been hospitalized. But researchers are still investigating this. Inflammation is a major culprit here, too. It increases the risk of blood clots and reduces the body's ability to clear them on its own.
When blood clots, your organs, including your heart, stop getting oxygen. When this happens, you're at risk of having a heart attack. That means your heart isn't getting enough oxygen-rich blood. Measuring an enzyme called troponin in your blood can help doctors diagnose a heart attack.
Don't delay medical appointments or emergency treatment.
Researchers will continue to learn more about COVID-19 and heart problems, but in the meantime, heart attacks are still occurring in people who don't have COVID-19.
"During the pandemic, many people have avoided seeing doctors and going to hospitals. While it's normal to be afraid of contracting COVID-19, you shouldn't delay seeking treatment. It's much safer to see a doctor or go to a hospital than to ignore symptoms that could be life-threatening."
If you have symptoms of a heart attack, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately. Prompt treatment is essential to prevent further damage to your heart. Also, don't miss your regular doctor's appointments. Tell your doctor if you have any new symptoms or problems. If you have COVID-19, discuss how it has affected you.
Will I also get heart problems after COVID-19?
Some people develop heart problems after COVID-19. You're at higher risk if you've been in the intensive care unit (ICU) or on a ventilator . However, even people who simply recover from COVID-19 can develop heart problems later.
These problems can occur if you have a condition called Long COVID . This is also called Post-acute coronavirus (COVID-19) syndrome . If you have Long COVID, it means that your health has not yet returned to the state it was in before you got sick.
Doctors consider the four-week mark an important milestone. If you've had COVID-19 for four weeks and are still having problems, you may have long-term COVID. This can affect you in a variety of ways.
New or persistent symptoms
People who become seriously ill with COVID-19 may develop new or persistent symptoms. Also, people who have mild COVID-19 or are asymptomatic may develop persistent problems. Fatigue, shortness of breath, and 'brain fog' are the most common problems. Symptoms that may be related to your heart include:
- Chest pain that increases when taking a deep breath.
- Heart palpitations .
- Fast heartbeat (Tachycardia) .
- Dizziness or feeling light-headed.
- Difficulty breathing during exercise.
If you have any of these symptoms, call your doctor right away and tell them how you're feeling. Your doctor may want to do some tests, such as an electrocardiogram (EKG) or an echocardiogram, to check your heart function.
Effects on other organs as well
The COVID-19 virus can affect many organs and systems, such as your heart, lungs, brain, and kidneys.
The SARS-CoV-2 virus attaches its spike protein to proteins in your body called ACE2 receptors. These are proteins found all over your body, including in your heart and lungs. ACE2 receptors are also found on the lining of your blood vessels. This allows the SARS-CoV-2 virus to easily attach to your ACE2 receptors and spread to many organs, causing damage. For example:
- Lungs: The COVID-19 virus can damage your lungs more severely than the common flu. In severe cases of COVID-19, lung tissue can become thickened and scarred (fibrosis) .
- Brain: COVID-19 can cause brain damage due to lack of oxygen to the brain.
- Kidneys: COVID-19 may cause your kidneys to function less well.
Because COVID-19 can affect your entire body, it's important to take precautions to prevent getting the virus. Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself and others. Also, wear a mask properly when necessary, stay home if you're sick, and wash your hands frequently.
Effects of treatment and hospitalization
The challenges of treatment and long hospital stays are not unique to COVID-19. You may feel very weak and tired. Or you may develop symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) .
Talk to your doctor about how you're feeling. It's normal to feel unwell for a while after you've recovered from COVID-19. Give yourself time to recover and get back to your normal routine. You're not alone. Your doctor will work with you to decide the best way to help you on your recovery journey.
Recovering from COVID-19 is a great thing. But you may also have to deal with heart problems after COVID-19. This is true, and your concerns are valid. Don't be afraid to ask your doctor questions about how you're feeling. Be sure to follow your doctor's recommendations exactly, and keep all your appointments.
What are the most important things we should take home from this story?
Okay, so, there are a few things you need to remember from what we've talked about today:
- When you get COVID-19, even if it's mild, it can affect your heart. So be aware of the symptoms.
- If you already have a condition like heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure, be especially concerned about complications from COVID-19.
- If you experience new chest pain, difficulty breathing, or a rapid heartbeat after COVID-19 , seek medical advice immediately.
- Don't delay medical appointments. Don't ignore emergency symptoms.
- Protect yourself from COVID-19 by getting vaccinated and following other health precautions.
- If you are having ongoing problems after COVID-19, you are not alone. Seek medical advice and support.
"Your heart is the most precious thing in your life. It is your responsibility to take care of it. We hope this information will be useful to you. Stay healthy!"
` Covid, heart disease, heart, inflammation, blood clots, long-term Covid, symptoms
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