How SARS-CoV-2 contributes to heart attacks and strokes (2024)

FAQs

How SARS-CoV-2 contributes to heart attacks and strokes? ›

The results suggest that SARS-CoV-2 increases the inflammatory share of macrophages in the heart, leading to heart damage. This change appears to result from the immune response to lung injury rather than from viral infection of the heart itself.

Inflammation is the main culprit, as it raises your risk of blood clots and prevents your body from getting rid of clots on its own. Blood clots also prevent oxygen from reaching your organs, including your heart. When this happens, you're at risk of having a heart attack.

Turning off the gene for neuropilin in these cells reduced infection. So did blocking the virus from binding to neuropilin. Infection triggered several inflammatory pathways in macrophages and foam cells. The cells also released molecules that are known to contribute to heart attacks and strokes.

Research shows COVID-19 infection can increase the risk for heart-related problems such as myocarditis, a rare inflammation of the heart, and an irregular heartbeat known as atrial fibrillation.

The study shows that the risk of atrial fibrillation and flutter was increased up to two months after infection. In the first month, the risk was twelve times greater than for people who did not suffer from COVID-19 infection.

Pre-existing CVD, in particular, has been implicated in aggravating pneumonia and elevating mortality [8]. The reported global lethality rate of COVID-19 stands at 1.0% [2], while a previous study of 72,314 cases demonstrated a much higher mortality rate of 10.5% for COVID-19 patients with pre-existing CVD [9].

Covid vaccines from companies like Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca were linked to rare occurrences of heart, brain and blood disorders, a recent peer-reviewed study found, though experts say the risks of developing Covid-19 greatly outweigh the risks of getting vaccinated.

There appears to be a bidirectional association between arterial stiffness/atherosclerosis and COVID‐19 severity. Preliminary studies have already documented the association of COVID‐19 with adverse functional and morphological changes in the arterial wall.

Unhealthy habits like poor diet, reduced physical activity, increased alcohol consumption, and heightened tension have negatively impacted heart health.

Could COVID have damaged my heart? ›

Scientists have long known that COVID-19 increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and Long COVID, and prior imaging research has shown that over 50% of people who get COVID-19 experience some inflammation or damage to the heart.

Many post-COVID patients may experience a rapid heart rate due to inactivity or prolonged illness. This will get better with regular exercise as they recover. Other patients have a rapid heart rate when standing.

Fortunately, most people who get COVID don't suffer damage to the brain. But some do, and even people who initially get just mild COVID symptoms are vulnerable. So COVID's potential to damage the brain is just one more reason to do everything we can to avoid getting this disease.

In a small number of patients, an abnormal inflammatory response can ensue within days to weeks after the infection and cause inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis) or the sac around the heart (pericarditis).

Organ damage could play a role. People who had severe illness with COVID-19 might experience organ damage affecting the heart, kidneys, skin and brain. Inflammation and problems with the immune system can also happen. It isn't clear how long these effects might last.

Youth who lead modern lifestyles are more likely to suffer from heart attacks. Poor Food Choices: Fast food, processed foods, and sugary drinks are all too common, increasing the risk of obesity, cholesterol and other cardiovascular diseases.

Most cases of myocarditis are self-resolving. Other cases recover several months after you receive treatment. In some cases, this condition can recur and can cause symptoms related to inflammation such as chest pain or shortness of breath.

There's usually no cure for cardiomyopathy, but the treatments can be effective at controlling symptoms and preventing complications. Some types of cardiomyopathy have specific treatments and early diagnosis is very important. Not everyone with cardiomyopathy will need treatment.

Get to your doctor. You may have trouble breathing, an irregular heartbeat, swollen legs, neck veins that stick out, and sounds from fluid built up in your lungs. Your doctor will check for these and other signs of heart failure. A test called an echocardiogram is often the best test to diagnose your heart failure.