Covid-19 And Your Heart

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, we are aware of the fatal effect it has on patients with underlying heart conditions. As per recent reviews, it has also caused cardiac injuries in individuals who do not have previous heart conditions. Some individuals tested positive for COVID 19 encounter only minor symptoms like shortness of breath or coughing, whereas others are battling for their life by relying on ventilators.

The severe SARS-CoV-2 virus infection affects your heart either directly or indirectly. For some individuals, it happens due to the direct viral infection of the heart cells. As for the rest, the heart’s functioning decreases due to the systemic inflammatory response to this infection. The virus attacks the blood vessels causing inflammation around the heart. This can have a lasting effect by putting you at a higher risk for a blocked artery, heart attack, or even heart failure. Understanding the various heart risks associated with the virus will enable you to pay close attention to your heart health. 

How COVID 19 Can Cause Heart Damage?

Studies have found numerous reasons for how this SARS-CoV-2 virus can turn out to be deadly. Some of the main reasons are as follows:

• Weakening of the lungs resulting in respiratory failure.
• Co-infection when it comes in contact with other germs.
• Cytokine storm due to overwhelming immune system response to the COVID 19 virus. 

Cytokines are proteins that are present in the body, which helps in regulating various biological functions. The most common functions of these proteins include repair and inflammation. When the inflammatory response of the cytokines is high, it can result in heart damage thereby causing heart failure

When this takes place, the patient may encounter a deadly condition known as myocarditis. This is the inflammation of the muscles present in the heart due to weak pumping causing systolic heart failure. It was one of the common conditions that existed among the COVID 19 hospitalized patients in Wuhan, China.

Two Main Cardiac Issues

According to medical researches, Covert 19 is closely related to two major cardiac conditions. It includes the following:

Abnormal heart rhythms or arrhythmias:

This condition is mainly caused due to the effect of the medication used for treating the virus.

Heart failure:

This takes place when the heart muscles do not pump the blood properly. It develops when the pressure of the lungs is too high due to lung damage, systematic inflammatory response due to infection, or myocarditis. 

For elderly patients with pre-existing hypertension or coronary artery illness, heart failure is mainly due to the reduced cardiac reserve capacity or increased demand placed on the heart.

As for younger individuals, it’s primarily due to primary myocarditis caused by COVID 19. 

How COVID-19 Affects Patients With Pre-existing Cardio Issues?

Most of the individuals severely infected by this virus were those having pre-existing cardiovascular issues. This is because patients with existing heart conditions or congestive heart failures have a lesser cardiac reserve to withstand lower oxygen levels or pneumonia. 

Reports also claim an increased amount of clotting among patients contracted with the COVID 19 virus. It can result in overwhelming infections among patients. Irrespective of this fact, there are patients with pre-existing cardio conditions that have survived the COVID 19 illness without getting hospitalized. However, it’s essential to stay in touch with your medical provider for treating the coronavirus symptoms. 

Are Children That Have Pre-Existing Heart Conditions Prone To COVID 19?

In most cases, children with pre-existing cardio issues do not belong to the high-risk category of being seriously ill due to the virus infection. However, such children are usually placed at higher risk once their condition turns complex due to issues like single ventricle, cyanosis, or Fontan circulation. The high-risk category also exists for pediatric patients suffering from pulmonary hypertension, lung disease, or heart failure. 

That does not mean that as parents, you should be so anxious and stop them from returning to school. Instead, it’s better to gather specific information and advice concerning your child’s health and medical condition from your physician. Moreover, it would help if you determined the safety measures issued by your child’s school for practicing social distancing. You also need to take into consideration as to whether it is possible to homeschool them if necessary. 

What Impact Does COVID 19 Have On Pregnant Ladies With Pre-Existing Heart Conditions? 

Pregnancy during these unprecedented times can increase your worry. This can heighten especially when you’re a patient with pre-existing cardiovascular issues. Hence it is essential to understand the potential risk that coronavirus can have towards you. This will also help you to take preventive measures in safeguarding your health and your unborn child.

Expectant mothers with significant cardio diseases have been further classified as – the clinically extremely vulnerable category. Hence, they are strictly advised to remain indoors and stay well protected unless their medical advisor directs them differently. Some of the cardiovascular conditions that put pregnant ladies under this category are as follows:

• Systemic right ventricle. 
• Pulmonary hypertension. 
• Congenital cardio issue with reduced left-sided heart functioning. 
• Cyanotic cardio issues. Especially for those with oxygen saturation level that is below 92 % in the room air. 
• Coronary artery illness.
• Left ventricular hypertrophy. It indicates the thickening of the muscles that are present in the heart caused by hypertension. It also includes hypertension linked with the aorta’s coarctation. 
• Heart valve problems, such as regurgitation or stenosis. If they’re classed as moderate or severe cases that cause symptoms, then it’s considered. 

During your pregnancy period, it is essential to remain in constant touch with the local antenatal care services. 

Is It Essential To Take Heart Medications During This Time? 

Its strongly recommended that the cardio patients continue taking the medications that their medical physician-administered unless differently advised. Medical experts claim that no evidence supports the speculation that angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) and ACE inhibitors enhance the chance of COVID-19 issues. 

However, stopping the medication plan may worsen your condition and can be quite dangerous. It’s highly significant that you carry on taking your prescription and avoid stopping medication without consulting a doctor. In case you contract the COVID 19 virus and experience dizziness, diarrhea, or find it difficult to eat or drink as usual when unwell, contact your physician. Your medical advisor might advise you to discontinue certain cardio medications such as diuretics and ACE inhibitors for a few days. Never stop taking your prescriptions without the advice of your doctor.  

Incase Of Emergencies

If you notice a change in your heart condition, call the emergency number, or visit the nearest emergency healthcare service. However, avoid waiting until your condition worsens as delayed care can make the situation more serious and increase the risk of complications. 

Final Thoughts

COVID 19 is generally considered a threat to your lungs; however, it also poses a significant danger to your heart. Though patients with pre-existing heart conditions are at higher risk, some patients who do not have any cardio issues also come across heart damages due to coronavirus. Hence medical experts say that patients with cardiovascular issues remain entirely isolated from individuals having COVID 19 symptoms.

Do you have a pre-existing cardio condition and tested positive for COVID 19? Your medical physician will then determine whether you can self isolate at your residence or be carefully monitored in the hospital.