COVID-19's Impact on the Heart: Understanding Long-Term Complications
Living with the Aftermath: Understanding and Mangaging Post-COVID-19 Heart Symptoms
Life after a bout with COVID-19 can be disheartening, and not just emotionally. Some individuals may face persisting heart issues, often referred to as long COVID-19 or post-COVID-19. Symptoms like shortness of breath, heart palpitations, and chest pain can take a physical and mental toll.
Statistics don't lie: Research reveals that people with post-COVID-19 are more than twice as likely to develop heart conditions. Even if you may not suffer from long-term symptoms, getting COVID-19 can increase the risk for heart complications like stroke or heart attack for up to a year post-infection.
But how do you recognize if your heart is affected by post-COVID-19? And more importantly, how can you address it?
Common Heart Symptoms of Post-COVID-19
Just like COVID-19 symptoms vary extensively, so does its impact on the heart. The majority of people won't develop post-COVID-19 or heart issues, but roughly 1 in 13 individuals may experience symptoms lasting longer than three months, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Among these, an estimated 29% will display heart symptoms post-recovery from COVID-19 infection.
"I have seen patients who weren't hospitalized and contracted COVID-19 years ago, and they are still experiencing lingering symptoms," says Dr. Anita Chopra, a family medicine specialist from UW Medicine. "The majority of my patients didn't have any prior cardiovascular disease history before contracting COVID-19."
Common symptoms she observes in her patients include:
- Tachycardia: An elevated heart rate (above 100 beats per minute)
- Various types of heart palpitations
- Shortness of breath
- Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), which triggers a spike in heart rate and a drop in blood pressure when standing or sitting
COVID-19 and Its Effect on the Heart
But why does a respiratory virus affect the heart? Initially, COVID-19 can cause acute (short-term) heart issues, such as myocarditis and cardiomyopathy, which can raise the risk for stroke or heart attack. Long-term, the virus can cause chronic inflammation throughout the body, including the heart, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
However, there are other theories as to why some individuals experience such persistent symptoms, left unanswered by research:
- The virus itself may continue to linger in the body and target healthy tissues.
- The presence of the virus may trigger an overreaction from the immune system, causing autoimmune responses.
- The virus may cause small blood clots, called microclots, to form, restricting blood flow and damaging blood vessels.
Identifying and Treating Post-COVID-19 Heart Problems
Figuring out whether your heart symptoms are due to long-COVID often involves a series of tests, including blood tests, heart monitors to identify abnormal heart rates, and echocardiograms that examine the condition of the heart. Commonly, these tests will show normal results, leading patients to require specialized care from a post-COVID-19 specialist like Dr. Chopra.
"I reassure patients that we have seen people getting better, even though it may take time," shares Chopra. "Symptoms like heart palpitations and dropping blood pressure are the first to start showing improvement."
Treatment ranges from self-help strategies like hydration, salt intake, and compression socks to working with post-COVID-19 rehabilitation specialists, physical therapists, and cardiologists. Medications can be prescribed to maintain a regular heart rate and blood pressure, as well as to help with anxiety. Research indicates that some post-COVID-19 patients might have lower serotonin levels, which can be alleviated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) to help manage anxiety and lower the impact on the heart.
Chopra also advocates for the four P's:
- Pacing: Limiting daily activities to prevent exhaustion or worsening symptoms.
- Prioritizing: Deciding what must be done instead of what can be rescheduled or postponed to conserve energy.
- Positioning: Adjusting activities and postures to make them easier and less likely to trigger symptoms.
- Planning: Scheduling weekly activities in advance to ensure time for rest.
Embrace Hope for the Future of Post-COVID-19 Care
Post-COVID-19 heart complications and other health issues can be intimidating, but remembering that help is available is crucial. If your doctor seems dismissive of your concerns, seek a second opinion or find a new doctor. A lot remains unknown about post-COVID-19, but don't suffer in silence; your symptoms are real and can be treated effectively with the right care and persistence.
Chopra acknowledges that the idea that a virus can wreak havoc on multiple bodily systems is nothing new - doctors have long known that infection with Epstein-Barr virus can lead to chronic fatigue syndrome in some people.
"COVID-19 has opened the door to understanding how viruses affect our bodies, and I hope this will pave the way for new research and guidance on the lingering effects of viral infections," says Chopra.
- The news about post-COVID-19 patients being more likely to develop heart conditions highlights the need for focus on cardiovascular-health and wellness.
- Science suggests that chronic inflammation caused by COVID-19 can increase the risk of heart complications, such as chronic diseases like stroke or heart attack.
- According to reports, mental-health issues like anxiety can be a common side effect for individuals experiencing post-COVID-19 heart symptoms.
- Aging individuals may require extra attention and care as they recover from COVID-19, considering that they could face an increased risk of heart disorders and other health-and-wellness complications.
- Incorporating fitness-and-exercise routines, alongside medications and self-help strategies, can be instrumental in managing and improving post-COVID-19 heart symptoms, as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
