Today, several research studies focus on the pulmonary complications of COVID-19. The SARS-CoV-2 infection develops into a spectrum of disease that ranges from asymptomatic and mild symptoms to critical and life-threatening illnesses. The majority of COVID-19 patients are either asymptomatic or develop mild symptoms. The severe form of the disease develops in patients with underlying comorbidities. It is associated with several life-threatening complications. Although there is limited evidence regarding the heart complications in patients with COVID-19, research studies demonstrate that SARS-CoV-2 significantly impacts a COVID-19 patient’s cardiovascular health. Patients with a previous history of Chronic Heart Failure, Hypertension, Coronary artery disease, Diabetes Mellitus, and smoking are at higher risk of contracting the SARS-CoV-2 infection and developing cardiac complications. According to a Wuhan study, 23% of the COVID-19 patients had developed cardiac complications.
Coronavirus-related Cardiac Problems
The exact pathogenesis of cardiovascular complications associated with COVID-19 is unclear. However, it is believed to be either due to direct viral health injury or decreased heart function due to increased systemic inflammatory response to infection. The virus enters the endothelial cells by binding to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors present in the lungs, heart, and endothelial cells of other organs.
Two major cardiac problems related to COVID-19 are Heart Failure and Arrhythmias or irregular heart beat.
Conclusion
Until the FDA approves a COVID-9 vaccine, you should take steps to protect yourself, your family, and your neighbors. Practice hand hygiene regularly, maintain social distancing and avoid going out (as much as you can). Other habits you should imbibe include the following: Eat a healthy balanced diet, and maintain moderate physical activity. Indeed, these are the precautions to be followed in elderly people with known heart disease or hypertension to prevent both the SARS-CoV-2 infection and its cardiac complications. While Covid-19 is contagious and deadly, the best bet is adhering to the aforementioned measures to stay alive. You mean the world to someone. Therefore, you must take responsibility for your safety today to avert contracting the deadly virus.
References
Citroner, G. (n.d.). How COVID-19 may damage your heart. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health-news/how-covid-1...
Heart attacks, heart failure, stroke: COVID-19’s cardiovascular complications. (2020, May 15). UVA Health Newsroom. https://newsroom.uvahealth.com/2020/05/15/cardiova...
Association of cardiac injury with mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China. (2020, July 1). JAMA Network | Home of JAMA and the Specialty Journals of the American Medical Association. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamacardiology/fu...
Test your knowledge
1. What are the risk factors of heart complications in COVID-19 patients?
a. Old age
b. Pre-existing heart disease
c. Diabetes Mellitus
d. All of the above
Answer: d
2. What is the common heart complication associated with COVID-19?
a. Heart Failure
b. Arrhythmia
c. Both
d. None
Answer: c
3. What are the symptoms of heart disease?
a. Difficulty breathing
b. Chest pain
c. Palpitations
d. All of the above
Answer: d
4. What can help in preventing COVID-19?
a. Hand hygiene
b. Social distancing
c. Wearing a mask
d. All of the above
Answer: d
Take a poll
Do you wash your hands before cooking and eating?
a. Yes
b. No
c. Sometimes