COVID-19 may lead to long-term heart issues, with the virus causing inflammation and damage to the cardiovascular system in some cases, potentially paving the way for lasting health problems.
Living with lingering COVID-19 effects can be quite disheartening, no pun intended. Common symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, and heart palpitations can take a toll, both physically and mentally. Worryingly, these symptoms might indicate damage to your heart health.
According to recent studies, individuals experiencing post-COVID-19 symptoms are more than twice as likely to develop heart issues. Even without long-term symptoms, COVID-19 can increase the risk of stroke or heart attack up to a year after infection.
So, how can you tell if your heart problems are a result of post-COVID-19? And what can be done to address them?
Recognizing Post-COVID-19 Heart Symptoms
COVID-19's impact on the heart can vary greatly from person to person. While most won't experience post-COVID-19 or heart problems, it's estimated that 1 in 13 individuals will suffer persisting symptoms lasting longer than three months, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Among these, up to 29% will have heart symptoms even after recovering from the initial COVID-19 infection.
Healthcare professionals often see the following issues:
- Elevated heart rate (tachycardia)
- Various types of heart palpitations
- Shortness of breath
- Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), which causes a spike in heart rate and drop in blood pressure when standing or sitting
COVID-19 and Heart Health: The Connection
A respiratory virus like COVID-19 might seem an odd suspect for heart problems, but it's been shown to cause acute heart issues such as myocarditis, which is inflammation of the heart muscle, and cardiomyopathy, which weakens the heart muscle. This puts people at risk for complications like stroke or heart attack, typically for up to a year after initial infection.
Long-term, the virus can cause chronic inflammation throughout the body, including the heart. Research suggests this chronic inflammation could increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, including stroke and heart attack. There are also theories that further explain why some people suffer from such long-lasting symptoms, including the possibility that the virus lingers in the body, triggers an exaggerated autoimmune response, or causes small blood clots to form.
Identifying Post-COVID-19 Heart Problems
Determining if heart symptoms are due to long-COVID often requires several tests. Fortunately, most of these tests are straightforward: they include blood tests, heart monitors, and echocardiograms. If results are normal, patients are often referred to specialists for further evaluation.
Managing Post-COVID-19 Heart Problems
While facing fear and anxiety is common, healthcare providers reassure patients that recovery is possible. Symptoms like heart palpitations and dropping blood pressure are often the first to start improving. Treatment can range from conservative measures like staying hydrated, eating salt, and wearing compression socks, to working with rehabilitation specialists, physical therapists, and cardiologists. Medications can help maintain a normal heart rate and blood pressure, while addressing anxiety. Some post-COVID-19 patients may also benefit from selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) to manage anxiety and stress.
Dr. Anita Chopra, a UW Medicine family medicine specialist, emphasizes the importance of pacing, prioritizing, modifying activities, and planning to help manage symptoms and conserve energy.
The Future of Post-COVID-19 Care
While understanding and addressing post-COVID-19 heart problems can be challenging, help is available. Don't suffer in silence; advocate for your health and seek the care you need. Post-COVID-19 and long COVID have opened doors to studying viral infections and their effects on our bodies, paving the way for new research and guidance on lingering virus-related health issues.
- Individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 may face lingering heart issues, as recent studies suggest a higher probability of developing heart problems for those with post-COVID-19 symptoms.
- Among the estimated 1 in 13 individuals with persisting symptoms lasting over three months post-COVID-19, up to 29% may experience heart symptoms.
- Healthcare professionals often recognize post-COVID-19 heart problems through symptoms such as elevated heart rate (tachycardia), various types of heart palpitations, shortness of breath, and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS).
- The virus's long-term impact on the heart can manifest in chronic inflammation, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease, including stroke and heart attack.
- Managing post-COVID-19 heart problems may involve conservative measures and working with a team of specialists, including rehabilitation specialists, physical therapists, cardiologists, and possibly medication for conditions like high heart rate and blood pressure, as well as anxiety management with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
- Patients should be proactive in seeking help for post-COVID-19 heart problems, as research continues to uncover new insights into viral infections and their effects on health, eventually leading to better treatment options and guidance for lingering virus-related health issues.
