The Covid-19 pandemic impact on heart can be very painful if ignored. In case of any symptoms of heart attack or other emergencies, the public is advised not to ignore these out of fear and seek prompt medical attention.
The impact of Covid on heart:
1. Increased vulnerability: The elderly and patients of heart disease & diabetes have been found to be particularly vulnerable to contracting severe Covid-19 infection when exposed and developing serious complications. These patients should particularly be careful and practice using of masks and social distancing.
2. Heart attacks: In patients with severe Covid infections, scientists have noted that there is an increased tendency to form clots in the arteries. This can potentially mean development of heart attacks or clots in the lungs.
3. Heart muscle affliction by Corona virus: Covid infection affects multiple systems in the body. Though most patients are affected through the lung and respiratory symptoms predominate, a good number of Covid deaths are due to cardiac reasons. The virus afflicts the heart muscle cell causing inflammation and weakens the pumping efficiency of the heart. This condition known as ‘Myocarditis’ is an important cause of death due to Covid-19 infection. Even when not fatal, this condition can potentially cripple the patient for long periods of time
5. Blood pressure medications: The SARS Cov2 virus enters human tissue by latching on to a receptor on the surface of the cells. This receptor, called ACE2 receptor is increased many folds in patients taking certain medicines for Blood Pressure. Early during the Covid pandemic a concern was raised that patients on these medicines may contract severe Covid infection. But with more and more scientific data pouring in, it is now clear that these BP medicines do not cause any harm during the pandemic. Patients are reassured and advised by their Physicians not to stop any BP medicines.
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Dr. S Venkatesh, Lead Consultant
Interventional Cardiology, Aster RV Hospital
JP Nagar, Bengaluru