COVID-19 and Cardiac Impacts
Early Evidence Points to Coronavirus Contributing to Heart Inflammation
It is now understood that people with a variety of underlying health conditions are more susceptible to serious, symptomatic COVID-19 illnesses. What is also now emerging is the mounting scientific and medical data on long-term health effects from COVID, and even more worrisome, is the growing prevalence of the incidence of heart inflammation in previously healthy, non-cardiac patients.
“This is still a very new virus,” said Kulpreet Barn, MD, Medical Director of the Advanced Heart Failure Center at Deborah Heart and Lung Center. “Although we think of COVID-19 as a respiratory illness, it actually affects the entire body, including the cardiovascular system. Many studies are underway, but some preliminary published findings are very troubling in indicating heart damage in patients who have recovered from COVID-19.”
Dr. Barn pointed to recent studies published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, JAMA Cardiology, and The Lancet. “Many of these studies have looked at a wide range of cardiac issues during and after COVID,” he said. “They also looked at symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. There is increasing evidence every day pointing to COVID causing cardiac issues like arrhythmias and myocarditis — or inflammation — in the heart muscle.”
Deborah has long treated myocarditis. This cardiac inflammation is usually caused by a viral infection, including flu, HIV, Coxsackie B virus, and now COVID. Myocarditis can cause chest pain, an abnormal heartbeat, and shortness of breath. Severe cases can lead to heart failure and even sudden death.
“Since we are still learning so much about COVID,” added Dr. Barn “we are not sure if the coronavirus damages the heart directly, or the heart could be damaged by the body’s intense immune system response to the disease.”
“There are also many accounts now of ‘long haulers’ – COVID patients who experience prolonged, varied symptoms months after they recover, including cardiac problems. It is unknown how long these patients might exhibit symptoms, but it is something here at Deborah we are watching very closely.”
“COVID patients, regardless of how serious their infection was, should consider talking to their physician or cardiologist. And absolutely if you are exhibiting any symptoms, seek medical care right away.”