COVID-19 pandemic is a global health crisis that has spread to every continent. There are more than 1 million global deaths, and new infections are reported daily. The UAE authorities continue to do their best to prevent the spread of the disease; they also encourage residents to adhere to health recommendations. Fever, cough, fatigue, nasal congestion, runny nose, etc. are some of the most common signs of Coronavirus.
This is a new virus that doctors know very little about the side-effects and long-term impacts on the human body. However, evidence suggests that individuals who get COVID-19 are more likely to get heart damage.
Things to Remember about COVID-19
The Coronavirus spreads between people directly, indirectly, or close contact with infected individuals through nose or mouth secretions. The most common signs are fever, fatigue, and dry cough. Less common symptoms include sore throat, loss of taste or smell, nausea and vomiting, joint or muscle pain, headache, red eyes, nasal congestion, chills, and dizziness, etc.
Severe COVID-19 symptoms include;
- Confusion
- Loss of appetite
- Persistent pressure or pain in the chest
- Shortness of breath
- Temperatures above 38 degrees Celsius.
If you have any of these signs don’t panic; call the COVID-19 hotline or your healthcare provider for instructions. You’ll get advice about where to go for a test, how to quarantine, and care for your health; it’s not advisable to self-medicate.
How COVID-19 Affects the Heart
Viral infections can affect the heart, but the Coronavirus seems to do more damage to the cardiovascular system. Here is what COVID-19 does to its victims’ hearts.
Heart Disease Makes You Vulnerable
If you’re over 60 years or have underlying health conditions increase your risk of getting severe COVID-19 symptoms and even death. Cardiovascular diseases affect the blood vessels and heart. It’s necessary to adhere to what your cardiologist in Dubai tells you; having a heart condition or risk factor for it makes you more vulnerable than healthier individuals. The Coronavirus causes heart damage or myocardial injury in many patients.
COVID-19 binds to the body’s ACE2 receptors; these are vital to people with cardiovascular risk factors and heart disease. ACE2 receptors regulate various body processes like inflammation and blood pressure.
When the Coronavirus binds to these receptors, it causes constriction of arteries and can cause high blood pressure. This is why people with cardiovascular risk factors and heart disease should take extra precautions against COVID-19.
Cardiometabolic Syndrome
Researchers have now identified a new Coronavirus-related cardiometabolic syndrome in individuals with unstable blood sugar, high blood pressure, high body fat, and high cholesterol. This brings together these corresponding risk factors to form a unified theory about severe COVID-19 outcomes and cardiometabolic health. These 4 factors work together or alone to cause poor results.
It’s advisable to visit a health center in Dubai for consultation; individuals with cardiovascular and metabolic dysfunction and the Coronavirus are more likely to have poor immune function and experience blood clotting. Obesity also makes it to breathe when under a ventilator.
Cardiac Injury
Although COVID-19 affects the lungs and some parts of the respiratory system, it can cause adverse effects on the heart and elevate existing heart conditions. This happens through inflammation of the heart, acute heart damage, or an injury to the heart; this causes it not to function correctly.
The Coronavirus can cause direct damage to the cardiovascular system; it causes inflammation-related injuries to the heart caused by the extensive immune response. Inflammation has been linked to blood clotting. Inflammation can cause arteries to block; this leads to cardiac arrest. Increased inflammation causes more clotting, and this worsens inflammation.
COVID-19 can also lead to heart attacks as a result of the virus’ damage to the lungs; it forces your heart to overwork to supply blood to your whole body. The Coronavirus lowers your lungs’ ability to oxygenate the blood; this strains and stresses the heart, while the lungs are incapable. This creates an oxygen imbalance, which can cause a heart attack.
The Coronavirus can also cause microvascular dysfunction and stress cardiomyopathy. This happens when the heart is extremely stressed like physical or emotional stress like when in ICU. This can cause damage and cardiac muscle injury. These can cause cardiac injury in patients in ICU due to COVID-19.
Unique Effects
The Coronavirus’ impact the heart in unique ways compared to other viral infections. For instance, when you compare COVID-19 and Influenza; the former causes a heart attack while the latter does not. Although viral infections cause inflammation, COVID-19 causes extreme inflammation. The extreme blood clotting and inflammation set the Coronavirus apart.
The Coronavirus has affected all aspects of our lives; however, many individuals’ lives and health have been compromised. Unlike other viral infections, COVID-19 affects the heart significantly causing heart attacks and damage. Anybody can get the Coronavirus; it’s necessary to stay safe by following health precautions and taking a test if you experience any symptoms.