Heart patients contracting COVID-19 might be at greater risk than others

Though most of the focus has been on the respiratory effects of COVID-19, new studies reveal that people with underlying heart conditions are also at a greater risk of dying, compared to other healthy persons contracting the virus.

New Delhi: While the deathly respiratory effects of COVID-19 have widely been reported, but now, various studies are showing that the virus also gives rise to serious cardiovascular complications.

According to reports, only about 20 per cent of the total COVID-19 inflicted patients require hospitalisation owing to serious symptoms. Most of those requiring hospitalisation are said to suffer from respiratory ailments like pneumonia and difficulty in breathing.

However, recent studies have shown that as many as 10 to 20 per cent of those hospitalised with COVID-19 are displaying serious cardiovascular complications.

COVID-19 patients with pre-existing heart-related issues are more likely to suffer heart attacks and congestive heart failure.

The possible explanation for this is the fact that viral infections usually lead to severe stress on the heart, at a time when oxygen levels are already low due to pneumonia.

However, many COVID-19 patients are said to be suffering from yet another heart-related condition called myocarditis, which is a marked inflammation of the heart muscle.

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It has been observed that the heart muscles show signs of weakening, but it is not completely clear that the condition is due to the direct effect of COVID-19 on the heart.

It is believed that the condition might also be due to the body's overactive immune response to COVID-19.

Since the exact reason behind the complication is not completely known, doctors are not yet sure about the way to treat the condition.

According to reports, as many as 10 per cent of patients with pre-existing heart-related ailments contracting COVID-19 are likely to die, as compared to only a 1 per cent fatality rate among healthy patients.

Since there are no specific guidelines for those suffering from heart-related-ailments to follow, they must follow all precautionary measures strictly to ensure they do not contract COVID-19.

Handwashing, physical distancing, and building up the immune system continue to be their shield against the virus.

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