The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on millions of people around the globe, not only because of the symptoms they experience during the disease, but also due to the effects that linger long after it is over. Among the post-COVID issues, heart problems appear to be the most worrisome. Both mild cases and those who suffered severely seem to experience heart health issues in one way or another. This blog explains how heart problems and COVID-19 are related, and how you should prepare for the future.
1. Understanding the Link between COVID-19 and Heart Disease
COVID-19 has been known to cause problems with the respiratory system, but its impact on the cardiovascular system can be equally or even more damaging. It can lead to inflammation of the heart (myocarditis), blood vessel injury, and enhance the chances of thrombus (blood clot) formation. In already ailing individuals, the virus can worsen existing heart problems as well.
According to research, COVID-19 can lead to a myriad of cardiovascular problems in both the short and long term. The precise details around it are still controversial, but experts offer a hypothesis that the infection leads to an inflammatory response that adversely affects heart and blood vessels by the sheer inflammation of the tissue in the muscles.
2. Various Heart Issues Associated With Covid-19
Some patients recovering from COVID-19 are facing several cardiac issues, including:
Myocarditis: Myocarditis refers to an inflammation of the heart muscle, which has been reported in both mild and severe forms of COVID-19. Its symptoms include chest pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, and irregular heart rhythms, to name a few.
Arrhythmias: Changes to the heart’s electrical system can cause irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias) or rhythm changes that make the heart beat too quickly or slowly. This can develop after COVID and can be severe in people who suffer from heart problems.
Severe COVID can also result in the development of blood clots, which cause deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism, stroking, and loss of vital organ functions as a result of obstructed blood flow.
Heart Failure: Recently, scientists have found that a weakened heart muscle after infection with COVID-19 can also result in heart failure, especially for individuals with cardiovascular disease.
3. Various Heart Issues Associated With Covid-19aAfter-COVID Syndrome: Long COVID and Cardiovascular Health
Several individuals who are recovering from COVID-19 deal with persistent symptoms which are called “long COVID” or “post-COVID syndrome.” This may include chronic fatigue, chest pains, and shortness of breath or exercise intolerance. Even among mild and asymptomatic people, these symptoms may linger for several months.
Long COVID is associated with the persistence or worsening of cardiovascular diseases and symptoms. Some previously healthy individuals may exhibit heart-related problems after recovering from these conditions.
4. Who Is at Risk?
Not everyone who contracts COVID-19 goes through heart problems. However, certain risk factors make cardiovascular issues likely to occur post COVID-19. Such individuals include:
People who had existing heart problems like coronary artery disease, hypertension, and heart failure.
Older adults, particularly those above 65 years of age, are more likely to suffer from severe symptoms and other complications.
Individuals with other underlying disease like Diabetes, obesity, and other respiratory disorders are likely to face post COVID heart complications.
People who suffered a severe case of COVID-19 and had to be admitted to the hospital or became ICU (Intensive Care Unit) patients.
People with “long COVID” symptoms continue to suffer from innumerable health issues long after the acute phase of the infection.
5. What To Do If You Experience Heart Problems After COVID-19
It is important to seek medical care right away if you have recovered from COVID-19 and have started feeling chest pains, getting short of breath, having dizziness, or experiencing palpitations. These heart symptoms, no matter how mild, should not be ignored because they could indicate a serious heart problem.
Your doctor may recommend an ECG, echocardiogram, or blood tests to evaluate a patient’s heart for damage or inflammation. Depending on how the patient’s heart is functioning, he or she may have a heart imaging study or a stress test done.
6. Managing Heart Health After COVID-19
If you had a heart problem after COVID-19, it will be crucial to keep track of your heart health during recovery. Consider these key points as guidelines:
Follow-Up with a Cardiologist: Having a regular check-up with a cardiologist may help in keeping track of your heart and its function.
Exercise with Caution: It is important to ease back into exercise slowly if you have had heart symptoms after COVID-19. A healthcare provider may help create a safe exercise plan to help with your condition.
Take Medications as Prescribed: Always keep in mind the doctor’s instructions closely if you are prescribed medicine to manage your heart issues.
Adopt a Heart-Healthy Lifestyle: To support cardiovascular health, a combination of healthy diet, exercise, sleep, and effective stress management is ideal.
Avoid Smoking and Limit Alcohol Consumption: Poor heart health can result from smoking and drinking excessively. Quitting these habits will improve your cardiovascular wellness.
7. The Road Ahead
Most people who get COVID-19 are fine in the long run. However, people with preexisting conditions may have long-term effects on their systems as well. This is why early detection, regular monitoring, and proactive management are key to ensuring that heart issues down the road are avoided.
If heart-related issues are a concern of yours after COVID-19, do not hesitate to seek help from healthcare professionals. With the right assistance, it is possible to overcome these challenges and get back to your carefree, healthy, and active life.
Final Thoughts
Research is still being done to understand the long-term ramifications of heart-related COVID-19 issues, but there is growing evidence to suggest the heart is being affected in patients who were already suffering from heart issues and those who weren’t. Failing to take proper medical advice is extremely dangerous. Post-recovery from COVID, it is important to focus on improving heart health through exercise and working closely with medical practitioners.