“Severe COVID-19 is a disease that affects endothelial cells, which form the lining of the blood vessels,” Post says. The heart may also become damaged and inflamed indirectly by the body’s own immune system response.Ĭoronavirus infection also affects the inner surfaces of veins and arteries, which can cause blood vessel inflammation, damage to very small vessels and blood clots, all of which can compromise blood flow to the heart or other parts of the body. Myocarditis: inflammation of the heart. The coronavirus may infect and damage the heart’s muscle tissue directly, as is possible with other viral infections, including some strains of the flu. The heart can fail from overwork, or insufficient oxygen can cause cell death and tissue damage in the heart and other organs. The heart has to work harder to pump blood through the body, which can be dangerous in people with preexisting heart disease. Lack of oxygen. As the virus causes inflammation and fluid to fill up the air sacs in the lungs, less oxygen can reach the bloodstream. Temporary or lasting damage to heart tissue can be due to several factors: Yes: Although COVID-19 is primarily a respiratory or lung disease, the heart can also suffer. , and Nisha Gilotra, M.D., clarify which post-coronavirus symptoms may point to a heart issue, when to call your doctor, and other facts all long-term COVID-19 survivors should know. Johns Hopkins cardiologists Wendy Post, M.D. How do you tell if your symptoms are heart-related, and what can you expect if they are? Some of the symptoms common in coronavirus “long-haulers,” such as palpitations, dizziness, chest pain and shortness of breath, may be due to heart problems - or, just from having been ill with COVID-19. For people who have had COVID-19, lingering COVID-19 heart problems can complicate their recovery.
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