H E A LT H
COVID-19 AND YOUR HEART Although most people think of COVID-19 as a respiratory disease that affects the lungs, this virus is just as likely to cause damage to your heart. A specialist explains why.
C
Even if patients don’t
OVID-19 commonly
the vessels around the heart,
presents with a cough and
and this can lead to a cytokine
experience damage to the heart at
shortness of breath, so it’s
storm – a condition where the
the time of infection, some of the
often thought of as a respiratory
immune system overreacts to the
virus’s effects on the heart, such as
disease only. In fact, says Dr
presence of a bacterium, virus, or
myocarditis or inflammation of the
Nivesh Sewlall, a pulmonologist
other microorganism (all known
heart muscle, can put them at risk
at Mediclinic Morningside, the
as pathogens), which causes
for heart failure in years to come.
virus affects the entire body, and
inflammation. This can disrupt
is capable of causing damage to
the proper functioning of the
conditions can be reversed, it’s
multiple organs.
organ, leading to an arrhythmia,
also possible that some damage
where the heart pumps either
may be permanent – especially in
through ACE (angiotensin-
too quickly or too slowly. Both
cases where there’s scar tissue that
converting) receptors [a specific
conditions are dangerous, Dr
affects the heart’s functioning.
protein that allows the virus to
Sewlall warns. Damage caused by
So, when should you worry
infect a wide range of human
the virus can also lead to a heart
about your heart? Dr Sewlall says
cells], and so it can be found in
attack or stroke.
if you’ve entered the recovery
“The virus enters the body
Although some of these
any organ where these receptors
Cardiac issues among
are present,” Dr Sewlall explains.
COVID-19 patients are more
experiencing symptoms such as
“These include the brain, gut,
common than you may think.
shortness of breath and fatigue
pancreas, blood vessels, kidneys,
According to the American Heart
that aren’t lessening as time
and the lining of the nose and
Association, around 25% of US
passes, further investigation may
mouth. Wherever the virus can
COVID-19 patients admitted
be required.
gain entry, it can also cause
to hospital have experienced
damage. That’s why patients
cardiac complications, and even
GP, who will conduct tests such as
suffering from long COVID tend to
recovered patients have presented
an ECG to check for any damage to
experience such a wide array of
with abnormalities in the heart.
the lungs and heart. If necessary,
symptoms.”
Symptoms of these conditions
your doctor will refer you on to a
include chest pain, shortness of
specialist for treatment.
When it comes to the heart,
phase of infection, but are still
Your first step is to consult your
this damage takes the form of
breath, as well as palpitations
scar tissue that forms on the
if the heart rate has increased.
This article first appeared on
muscles of the organ. The virus
Conversely, if the heart rate slows,
www.mediclinicinfohub.co.za on
can also cause blood clots in
the patient may faint.
1 September 2021.
22
SILVER DIGEST // SPRING 2021
