Not just lungs, studies say coronavirus may also affect the heart

Doctors and researchers have so far focused on lung-related complications among coronavirus patients as the greatest threat to their lives, but research now shows that the virus could also affect other vital organs.

A study by the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) in patients with Covid-19 from Wuhan in China revealed that coronavirus heart injury could develop even among those with no history of cardiovascular disease.

Additionally, he found that patients who develop these complications are at significantly higher risk than other patients.

The risk of death was four times higher among those who developed cardiac complications compared to those without cardiac complications.

Although the study has its limitations, it confirms similar findings from other researchers.

"In general, heart muscle injury can occur in any patient with or without heart disease, but the risk is higher in those who already have heart disease," Dr. Mohammad Madjid, lead author of another, said in a news release. study with similar findings. .

JAMA also published another study tracking the case of an otherwise healthy 53-year-old Italian patient, to discover that cardiac complications can occur in patients with Covid-19 who do not show any symptoms of respiratory infection.

NYT reported a case in Brooklyn that was very similar to that of the Italian woman where the 64-year-old patient came to the hospital with symptoms of a heart attack and tests showed signs of damaged heart muscles. But when doctors rushed to open his arteries, they found that none were blocked. Later he tested positive for coronavirus.

These cases have caused an enigma with doctors who cannot decide whether the coronavirus should be ruled out first among such patients in these times, wasting precious time before cardiac procedures are performed.

"We were thinking lungs, lungs, lungs, with us in a supporting role," said Dr. John Rumsfeld, director of science and quality for the American College of Cardiology. NYT. "Then all of a sudden we started hearing about the possible direct impact on the heart."

What does this mean for cardiac patients?

Heart patients are not more likely than others to get coronavirus, but they are at increased risk of developing serious complications and death, especially if they are older and have other conditions, such as hypertension and diabetes.

They must take all necessary precautions prescribed by the government and health authorities, including indoor maintenance and frequent hand washing.

You can read more about physical activities at home, dealing with stress, and heart-healthy recipes from the American Heart Association here.