Heart Disease and COVID-19: Damage, Risks, and Prospects
Post-COVID-19, long-term heart issues have been a cause for concern. These complications range from inflammation and rhythm abnormalities to vascular aging and heart failure [1][3][5].
Not everyone with COVID-19 will experience heart damage, but certain groups may face a greater risk. People with pre-existing chronic health conditions such as cardiomyopathy, CAD, diabetes, heart failure, hypertension, obesity, stroke, and vasculitis might be more susceptible [1].
One group particularly vulnerable to these long-term cardiovascular problems are women, especially those experiencing long COVID symptoms. Studies show that women with long COVID have inflammation and blood vessel damage markers elevated far more than men [2][4].
Individuals with pre-existing heart disease also face a higher risk, as COVID-19 can worsen their condition [1]. Patients who had severe COVID-19 requiring hospitalization or ICU care tend to show more vascular damage [4].
Those experiencing long COVID symptoms, such as persistent inflammation and vascular changes, also have a higher risk of developing heart and lung diseases later on [2][5]. High blood pressure and older age are factors that directly relate to the increased risk of heart failure after COVID-19.
Symptoms of potential heart failure after COVID-19 include breathlessness that affects daily activities, a faster-than-usual heartbeat, unexpected and rapid weight gain, swelling in the ankles, legs, and feet, mental confusion, memory lapses or cognition problems, constant coughing or wheezing [6].
It's important to note that there are no specific symptoms that indicate heart damage after having COVID-19, but long-term COVID-19 symptoms may include breathlessness, coughing, chest pain, heart palpitations, and a range of other symptoms [7].
Medical researchers continue to learn more about the long-term effects of COVID-19 on people's respiratory, nervous, and digestive systems [8]. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused over 6.8 million deaths from at least 753 million cases worldwide [9].
Long-term COVID-19 heart complications can include heart failure, an irregular heartbeat, coronary artery disease (CAD), and heart attacks. The risk of heart failure increases by 90% for people within 9 months after developing COVID-19 [10].
In a sample of 153,760 participants, the risk of heart failure was 72% higher in people who had confirmed COVID-19, even when symptoms were severe enough to warrant hospital admission [11]. Within 367 days of discharge, people who left the hospital after a COVID-19 admission had a heart failure risk of 2.3%, compared with 1.5% in non-COVID-19 patients, and a mortality rate of 3.3%, compared with 2.6% in non-COVID-19 patients - or an increased mortality risk of 27% [11].
Inflammation may cause blood clots throughout the body, including in the heart [12]. If you notice palpitations, breathlessness, and increased fatigue after COVID-19, it's advisable to consult a healthcare professional to rule out heart failure or other serious post-COVID heart conditions.
References:
[1] British Heart Foundation [2] American Heart Association [3] Mayo Clinic [4] Harvard Health [5] European Society of Cardiology [6] Mayo Clinic [7] Johns Hopkins Medicine [8] World Health Organization [9] World Health Organization [10] JAMA Cardiology [11] JAMA Network Open [12] Mayo Clinic
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