According to one of the most comprehensive analyzes of post-COVID health effects to date, it appears that coronavirus can leave patients at risk of heart problems for at least one year after infection. A study published last week in Nature Medicine found that the disease increased the risk of heart rhythm irregularities and potentially fatal blood clots in the legs and lungs within a year after an acute infection. A person with a heart susceptible to disease and infection is more likely to have a fever, low oxygen levels, unstable blood pressure and blood clotting disorders – all possible consequences of Covid 19 – than a person with heart disease alone.Also read – Tiger Shroff’s Birthday: Does the 32-year-old’s body tone and chime? Reveals the secrets of her diet and fitness – see
Covid 19 increases the risk of heart failure by 72%, heart attack by 63% and stroke by 52% – even in those whose original illnesses were mild. Although COVID19 patients appear to have had a heart attack, they sometimes suffer from inflammation of the heart muscle, called myocarditis. Their electrocardiogram (ECG) may show significant changes indicative of a heart attack, and blood tests may also show elevated troponin levels. This cardiac enzyme is released when the heart muscle is damaged. With Kovid 19 infection, the heart muscle of a patient with cardiac complications weakens, and they may also suffer from arrhythmias. Thus, research has shown that severe injury to the heart muscle and increased troponin levels are associated with heart patients and increased risk of death with COVID19! Also read – Fitness Tips: The Perfect Warm Up Routine For Your Shoulders You Must Follow – See
The COVID19 virus can damage the heart in many ways. For example, the virus can directly invade or inflame the heart muscle, and it can indirectly damage the heart by disrupting the balance between oxygen supply and demand. Heart injury, which can be measured by elevated levels of the enzyme troponin in the bloodstream, has been found in nearly a quarter of hospitalized patients with severe COVID19 illness worldwide. Also read – Dedicating 30-60 minutes each week to muscle strengthening activity can reduce the risk of death
People on immunosuppressants, such as post-transplant patients, cancer patients receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy, patients with leukemia or lymphoma, and people with heart disease have the most significant risk of contracting the virus and dying.
High-risk groups include the elderly and pregnant women with cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Individuals with pre-existing cardiac conditions such as congestive heart failure, advanced cardiomyopathy, advanced forms of arrhythmia, obstructive forms of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and congenital heart disease are at higher risk. Sometimes due to the inflammatory effects of the virus, there is a risk of rupture of atherosclerotic plaques or fatty deposits in the coronary arteries, leading to heart attack.
If the patient is comorbid, a cardiologist should be consulted and cardiac revaluation performed. Depending on their condition, the doctor may consider increasing the amount of statins and adding anticoagulants, if necessary. While there are no dedicated guidelines for what to do with high-risk cardiac patients to avoid exposure to COVID19, such individuals should adhere to basic hygiene practices such as hand washing, body spacing, and self-isolation if they become infected again. . They need to exercise at home, get enough sleep, manage stress and eat a balanced diet. Finally, healthy habits will not only strengthen the immune system to help prevent / cut the Covid 19 infection better, but will also help prevent the progression of CVD in the long run.
(Co-authored by Dr. Brijesh Kunwar, Director-Interventional Cardiology, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital Vashi and Dr. Zakia Khan, Senior Consultant-Interventional Cardiology, Fortis Hospital, Kalyan)
