COVID-19 can significantly impact your heart health, affecting your quality of life. It causes inflammation throughout the body, leading to severe damage to your heart and other body organs. According to research studies, the risk of cardiovascular complications such as stroke, shortness of breath, fatigue, or a heart attack can occur months or weeks later post-SARS-CoV-2 infection treatment.

At Heart Wellness Group, we are dedicated to helping you recover and overcome COVID-19 cardiovascular complications. Our wide range of specialists is passionate and committed to giving you high-quality care based on your symptoms to ensure optimum heart health.

COVID-19 and Heart Problems

COVID-19 can cause problems throughout your body that can impact your heart’s health, including after the virus has left your body system. The virus that causes COVID-19 rarely directly infects your heart muscle. However, it can contribute to heart problems even if you have never had issues before and even poses a greater risk of heart problems if you have cardiovascular disease. Heart disease risk factors that could put you at higher risk of cardiovascular complications include:

• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Obesity or overweight
• Diabetes
• High cholesterol
• Sickle cell disease
• Thalassemia
• Coronary artery disease
• Tobacco use
• Chronic kidney disease

Research studies have discovered potential brain and heart issues after SARS-CoV-2 infections for up to a year, including in patients who had experienced mild COVID-19 conditions.

Additionally, research suggests that inflammation may lead to COVID-19 heart damage. The body activates the immune system, producing inflammatory cells, which is an essential body process.
Myocardial injury (death of heart muscles) can occur while infected or hospitalized with COVID-19. You may or may not have heart disease symptoms when having a myocardial injury. If you have heart disease, you may have symptoms like chest pain or dyspnea (breath shortness). Heart damage increases your risk of complications as your body does its best to eliminate the virus.

COVID-19 Cardiac Complications

COVID-19 leads to a lack of oxygen that occurs when the virus causes inflammation throughout the body, which leads to low oxygen levels in the bloodstream. This makes the heart work harder to pump blood which may lead to heart tissue and cell damage. Lack of oxygen can also be detrimental if you have preexisting heart disease.

There are various cardiovascular complications, including:

• Heart arrhythmia: An irregular or abnormal heart rhythm. Your heart may beat too fast(tachycardia) or slow (bradycardia).
• Pericarditis: This is the inflammation of the tissues surrounding the heart’s muscle lining.
• Myocarditis: This is the inflammation of the heart’s muscles.
• A heart attack occurs when the heart muscle does not get enough blood.
• Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS): A condition that affects blood flow, triggered by symptoms when you stand or change position. You may experience lightheadedness or rapid heartbeat.
• Inappropriate sinus tachycardia: The heart may beat very quickly for no reason, even during rest.
• Vasculitis: An inflammation of the blood vessel lining that causes changes in the blood vessel walls. It can lead to blood clot formation.
• Stress cardiomyopathy: Inability of the heart to pump blood effectively.

Heart Attack Symptoms

COVID-19 may cause lingering or new symptoms if you are severely ill, including mild or asymptomatic COVID-19. Heart attack symptoms may be mild, worsening over time, or sudden with intensity. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience the following symptoms:

• Nausea
• Shortness of breath
• Lightheadedness or dizziness
• Tachycardia (fast heart rate)
• Cold sweat
• Neck, jaw, back, pain or discomfort
• Chest tightness, squeezing pain, or pressure that stops and returns or doesn’t go away in a few minutes

Diagnosis

A complete and thorough diagnosis is the first step to receiving quality care and treatment. Your condition will determine the type(s) of diagnostic testing you require, such as:

• Exercise stress test, also known as a heart stress test, measures the heart’s ability to respond to external stress during exercise on a treadmill. If you are unable to exercise, your doctor will give you controlled medications (chemical, nuclear stress test)
• Electrocardiogram (EKG/ECG) measures your heart’s electrical activity and rhythm. It checks if the heart beats too fast or slow.
• Cardiac catheterization shows blockages in the heart’s arteries. It involves the insertion of a catheter in a blood vessel, guided to the heart through the groin or wrist.
• Cardiac CT (computerized tomography) scan views your heart and blood vessels to diagnose birth defects, the buildup of plaque that may be blocking arteries, and tumors.
• Cardiac MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan creates detailed heart images. It assesses the structure and function of the cardiovascular system.
• Holter monitor is a portable, wearable ECG worn for a few days to monitor your heart during usual activities. It helps detect irregular heartbeats that are not found in an ECG.
• Blood tests help measure cholesterol levels and heart health signs. They also help determine if a person has had a heart attack.
• Event monitor is a portable, wearable device that measures the heart’s electrical activity for up to 30 days.
• Title table test, also known as upright tilt testing, helps determine if your unexplained fainting is related to blood pressure or heart rate.
• Ultrasound involves using sound waves to check blood flow in your legs or neck.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the cause and type of heart damage. Your treatment will be tailored to your diagnostic test results and unique needs. If COVID-19 causes your heart condition, your doctor might need to work with other specialists for a comprehensive treatment.

Prevention

If you have lingering COVID-19 symptoms, you should see your doctor. It may take from 2 to 6 weeks to fully recover from COVID-19. If you have persistent mental and physical symptoms for over 4 to 6 weeks, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. It is essential to take special precautions to avoid and manage COVID-19. Such measures include:

• Getting vaccinated to reduce the risk of infection and other complications.
• Thoroughly wash your hands with water and soap for at least 30 seconds. Ensure you also clean the back of your hand and between your fingers. Use a sanitizer if you do not have access to water and soap.
• Wear a mask to protect yourself and others by minimizing the spreading of the virus, especially if you are an asymptomatic carrier.
• Keep yourself updated and informed about the coronavirus from reliable and credible sources such as the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• Avoid touching your face, mouth, or nose.
• Follow and maintain social distancing guidelines
• Get enough sleep and rest. See a specialist if you have sleep troubles after a COVID-19 infection since sleep disorders may be linked to heart problems.

If you have cardiovascular disease, it is essential to practice healthy living habits such as:

• Consuming a healthy balanced diet and taking plenty of water
• Get enough rest and sleep (at least seven hours of sleep)
• Take your medications as prescribed and instructed by your doctor
• Regular exercises
• Manage stress and anxiety
• Quit smoking and alcohol

Contact Heart Wellness Group . today for more information or to schedule an appointment online.