COVID-19, a disease caused by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, has made thousands sick and killed a large number of people worldwide. Mainly considered life-threatening for its effects on the lungs A new study published this month in JAMA Cardiology has found that COVID-19 can cause heart injury, even in people without underlying heart issues. “We know that there is a risk of heart injury, no matter if you had heart disease before. Therefore pre-cardiac disease is a risk factor for high mortality in these patients. Heart injury is also a risk factor, but it can happen to people who are free from heart disease.
COVID-19 And Also Other Viruses Damage Your Heart
Not only COVID-19, but other respiratory diseases such as influenza and SARS, can worsen existing heart disease and cause new heart problems in otherwise healthy people. He emphasizes that most flu epidemics, more people die from heart problems than from respiratory issues such as pneumonia. He expects similar cardiac problems in severe COVID-19 cases.
How Viruses May Cause Heart Damage
Several causes of viruses, such as the flu virus or SARS-CoV-2, can become fatal. Three common causes are coincidence with another germ; Lung failure when the lungs are weakened by disease; And a “cytokine storm” caused by an immune system’s massive response to infection. The inflammatory response of cytokines can lead to heart damage via the mechanism of heart failure.
Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle. It can potentially result in weak pump function of the heart muscle, known as heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) or systolic heart failure.
COVID-19 Advice For Patients With Heart Disease
- Make plans for quickly identifying and isolating cardiovascular patients with COVID-19 symptoms from other patients.
- Patients with underlying cardiovascular disease are at higher risk for developing COVID-19 and have a worse outlook.
- Advise all cardiovascular patients of the potential increased risk and encourage additional, reasonable precautions.
- It’s important for people with cardiovascular disease to remain current with vaccinations, especially for influenza and pneumonia.