COVID-19’s Profound Impact on Heart Health Revealed by Long COVID Patients
Firefighter and paramedic Mike Camilleri used to effortlessly carry heavy gear up ladders. However, after battling long COVID, he now cautiously steps onto a treadmill to observe how his heart responds to a simple walk. Camilleri is not alone in experiencing heart-related issues after recovering from COVID-19. The full extent of COVID-19’s impact on heart health is only just beginning to emerge, even years into the pandemic.
According to Dr. Susan Cheng, a cardiologist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, “We are seeing effects on the heart and the vascular system that really outnumber, unfortunately, effects on other organ systems.” Even individuals who seemed to recover well from COVID-19 can be at an increased risk of developing heart-related problems for up to a year after their infection. These problems can range from blood clots and irregular heartbeats to heart attacks.
The long-term consequences of COVID-19 on heart health are still largely unknown. Researchers are striving to determine who is most likely to experience these aftereffects and whether they are reversible or indicative of potential heart disease later in life. Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly from Washington University warns that the nation is about to exit the pandemic as an even sicker nation due to virus-related heart troubles, and the consequences will likely have an impact for generations.
Prior to the pandemic, heart disease was already the leading cause of death in the United States. However, heart-related death rates had reached record lows in 2019. The arrival of COVID-19 eradicated a decade of progress in reducing heart disease-related deaths. Cheng’s research even revealed a nearly 30% increase in heart attack deaths among 25- to 44-year-olds during the first two years of the pandemic.
Furthermore, high blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart disease, has measurably increased during the pandemic.
Cardiovascular symptoms are part of the long COVID syndrome, which encompasses various health issues, including fatigue and brain fog. The National Institutes of Health is conducting small studies on potential treatments for certain long COVID symptoms, including heart rhythm abnormalities. However, it is critical for patients and doctors to be aware that cardiovascular problems might be the first or primary symptom of post-COVID damage.
Camilleri’s journey has been marked by numerous health problems following his COVID-19 infection. He initially experienced shortness of breath and subsequently developed a string of heart-related symptoms. After failing to find relief through various treatments, he finally sought help at Washington University’s long COVID clinic. Dr. Amanda Verma, a member of the cardiology team at the clinic, discovered abnormalities in blood flow that could be contributing to his symptoms.
Some long COVID patients experience insufficient drops in blood flow during rest due to the prolonged activation of the fight-or-flight response system. Additionally, others have issues with the dilation and constriction of small blood vessels. To address these problems, Verma prescribed specific heart medications to dilate blood vessels and normalize the fight-or-flight response. Physical therapist Beth Hughes devised a careful rehabilitation plan for Camilleri, which included exercises to monitor and regulate his heart rate.
Although Camilleri noticed some improvement, a second bout of COVID-19 resulted in further health problems, leading to his retirement. The post-COVID heart risk is of great concern, prompting Al-Aly to analyze medical records from a Veterans Administration database. His analysis revealed that COVID-19 survivors were more likely to experience abnormal heartbeats, blood clots, chest pain, palpitations, heart attacks, and strokes within a year of recovery. This risk extends to middle-aged individuals without prior signs of heart disease.
While the risk per person might be relatively small, the overall impact is substantial due to the scale of the pandemic. Millions of individuals have experienced cardiovascular symptoms following COVID-19. Al-Aly is currently studying whether vaccination and milder coronavirus strains have reduced the overall risk. Recent research using a large U.S. insurance database supports the need to better understand and address these post-infection cardiac issues. Long COVID patients were twice as likely to seek care for cardiovascular problems compared to similar patients who did not contract COVID-19.
The link between COVID-19 and heart damage is not entirely surprising. Conditions like rheumatic fever, which cause inflammatory reactions and scar the heart’s valves, offer precedent. However, whether COVID-19 will result in a similar long-term consequence is still uncertain.
To mitigate potential heart risks, Al-Aly emphasizes the importance of addressing other modifiable risk factors such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, poorly controlled diabetes, and smoking.
As researchers continue to uncover the profound impact of COVID-19 on heart health, it is crucial for individuals to prioritize their cardiovascular well-being and seek medical attention for any post-COVID symptoms, including potential heart-related issues.