Did you know that COVID-19 not only compromises your lungs but also your heart? This was evident when the first cases were diagnosed; some patients who experienced respiratory problems died from heart failure. The Coronavirus has affected many people in the UAE and globally, lasting for months and causing severe symptoms.
Although COVID-19 has not been around for a while, we learn new things every day. A percentage of people suffering from the virus have preexisting health problems or are elderly; they end up in critical care needing ventilators or oxygen. According to WHO, 80% of the infections are asymptomatic/mild, and patients take an average of 2 weeks to recover. However, some people continue to struggle with the symptoms for several months.
Why COVID-19 Affects Some People More than Others
Coronavirus seems to take a toll on some people, while others only suffer mildly. At first, scientists thought that the elderly easily contracted the viruses and suffered severe symptoms. However, new research shows that the disease can affect anyone severely regardless of age.
Underlying health conditions are a contributing factor to how severe the disease affects you. The rate of hospitalization and death is higher among those with underlying conditions than those without.
Age is a factor as more people 65 years and above are more likely to require hospitalization or even die due to the virus. This might be because most elderly persons have chronic diseases like diabetes and heart diseases. Your immune systems’ ability to fight pathogens declines as you age.
How COVID-19 Harms Your Heart
Medical practitioners are not surprised at how Coronavirus affects the heart; this is not new. However, it’s not clear whether this virus is more fatal to the heart than other viruses.
COVID-19 affects the heart in the following ways;
Preexisting Heart Conditions
Patients with preexisting heart conditions are vulnerable and more likely to suffer from severe respiratory and cardiovascular complications from Coronavirus. It’s necessary to keep in touch with your cardiologist in Dubai for health advice and in case of any complications or new symptoms. Research shows that influenza infections pose a threat to patients with preexisting heart diseases than people without.
Although the Coronavirus affects your respiratory system and not your heart, your heart gets affected because it struggles to pump oxygenated blood all over your body. It gets complicated for patients with heart failure. Patients with heart conditions have compromised immune systems; this makes them more vulnerable to the virus’ more severe symptoms. Coronavirus damages the respiratory system; this makes it difficult for the heart to work. Patients with heart disease and other preexisting conditions can get severe COVID-19 symptoms. Respiratory infections like the flu can also lead to heart attacks.
Undiagnosed Heart Disease
Did you know that it’s necessary to go for regular checkups at a medical center in Dubai? This helps to identify diseases before they wreak havoc in your body. If you have undiagnosed heart disease, Coronavirus might unmask it and cause severe symptoms. If you have an existing heart vessel blockage, inflammation, fever, and infections can destabilize your previously inactive fatty plagues in your heart vessels.
Inflammation and fever make your blood more likely to clot; this also renders your body useless against dissolving clots. Heart screenings are crucial and could save lives. It’s essential to look out for signs that might indicate that you have an undiagnosed heart condition, like chest pain, chest pressure, a noticeable heartbeat, shortness of breath, etc.
Heart Damage
Some individuals might have heart damage that impersonates heart attack injury even if the arteries don’t have hardened fat that might cause blockage that causes heart attacks. Myocardial infarction type 2, which is a heart condition, can occur when your heart muscle lacks enough oxygen. If you have COVID-19, this heart condition might be agitated by the imbalance between oxygen demand and supply. Inflammation and fever increase heart rate and metabolic demands from various organs like the heart. This stress increases if your lungs are infected and cannot filter carbon dioxide and oxygen properly. This strained exchange leads to low levels of oxygen in the heart.
Patients with no Underlying Issues
Coronavirus can affect your heart even if you have no underlying heart condition. Although Coronavirus attacks your lungs, it can lead to a hyperactive immune response, causing more inflammation all over the body. You can develop fulminant inflammation of the heart because the virus can attack your heart directly. This inflammation can cause cardiac muscle damage and heart rhythm disturbance, and it also interferes with how the heart pumps blood.
Most patients with Coronavirus get heart damage. Heart failure is the leading cause of death in these patients. COVID-19- related heart problems are diverse; this depends on how your body responds to the virus. You’ve got to take all preventive measures because you can’t predict how Coronavirus will affect you.
