Understanding heart health is always important. However, when the COVID-19 pandemic began, patients with underlying heart problems tended to be more likely to get sicker or require hospitalization. While the virus is most often associated with its impact on the lungs, the effect of COVID and heart issues that result are necessary to be aware of.
If you developed heart issues after having COVID-19, they could be related. Make an appointment with a cardiologist to discuss your symptoms.
The risk of heart issues after a COVID-19 infection
The American Heart Association (AHA) says a growing number of studies suggest many people with COVID-19 may also experience some type of heart damage, even if they didn’t have underlying heart disease and weren’t sick enough to be hospitalized.
Previously, COVID caused an over-reaction by the immune system in about 5 percent of patients, says Zachary Dowdy, MD, a cardiologist in our Greenville market. This reaction developed a cytokine storm of inflammatory substances that damaged the heart and sometimes led to myocarditis and congestive heart failure. He adds that it was not uncommon to see acute cardiac injury, especially in those with severe disease.
Dr. Dowdy also says these reactions to infection from COVID-19 increased the risk of pulmonary embolism and ischemic stroke. Both of these serious conditions also indirectly stress the heart.
However, this was mostly limited to earlier variants of the disease.
“With the newer variants, we have seen less severe myocardial injury,” he says. “Milder illness has been seen with less myocarditis and congestive heart failure. This is likely in part due to higher vaccination rates. There has been a reduction in hospitalizations as well.”
Other risk factors with COVID and heart issues
When the body responds to the virus, it creates inflammation. While an appropriate reaction to fighting a virus, the inflammation becomes too much and can damage the heart or disrupt electrical signals that help it beat properly. This can cause an arrhythmia, which is an abnormal heart rhythm. If you already have an arrhythmia, it can get worse.
Those recovering from COVID-19 are warned to monitor themselves for the same warning signs and symptoms that heart patients have been told to watch out for: chest pain, shortness of breath, heart palpitations or leg swelling.
Also, some patients report feeling symptoms for months after the initial infection. Commonly referred to as “long COVID,” symptoms can include fatigue, heart palpitations and decreased functional capacity. While not directly heart-related, these can also cause unnecessary stress on the heart and potentially lead to complications later.
How we can help
Understanding the connection between COVID and heart issues is one factor in protecting yourself if you do contract the virus. However, Dr. Dowdy emphasizes that the most important things to remember are to keep in communication with your health care provider and don’t be afraid to seek care.
“It’s important to keep any check-up appointments, but also realize that once the visit’s over, you shouldn’t have radio silence,” Dr. Dowdy says. “With e-visits becoming more commonplace, it’s easy to establish a constant line of communication and stay in touch with your physician – whether that’s your primary care provider or your cardiologist. Reach out so we can help answer questions and address any concerns – whether that’s how to resume a safe exercise routine or talk through some of those warning symptoms.”
If you do develop symptoms that could indicate heart issues, make an appointment with a cardiologist. They can run tests and evaluate your symptoms to ensure you get the right care for you.
Learn more about the heart and vascular services we offer at Bon Secours.
