2023-11-08 12:20:00
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Recent research has shown that even patients with mild COVID-19 symptoms could face an increased risk of developing heart disease and stroke. This risk increases especially in older people who already have an accumulation of fatty matter in their blood vessels.
Loading video: The surprising shapes of viruses
The surprising shapes of viruses
Now, a pioneering study has discovered that the virus can directly infect the arteries of the heart, a revelation that not only surprises but also raises alarms about long-term cardiovascular complications in recovered patients.
The possible response to excessive inflammation in severe cases of Covid-19
The research, led by the cardiologist Chiara Giannarelli, from NYU Langone Health, found viral genetic material in coronary arteries months after recovery from COVID-19, suggesting that the virus is not only capable of infecting, but also persisting in the cardiovascular system. This persistence could inflame the atheroma plaques, increasing the likelihood that they will break off and cause a heart attack or stroke.
SARS-CoV-2 and arterial inflammation
Macrophages, immune cells that normally protect the body from infections, can become a Trojan horse when loaded with cholesterol, transforming into foam cells what promote the formation of atherosclerotic plaques.
SARS-CoV-2 has demonstrated its ability to infect and grow within these cells in laboratory cultures, suggesting that foam cells could act as reservoirs for the virus. This interaction between the virus and immune system cells not only increases the persistence of the virus but also aggravates the severity of the disease.
Additionally, when macrophages and foam cells are infected by the virus, they release cytokines, small proteins that can increase inflammation and the formation of new plaques in the arteries.
The Nobel Prize in Medicine goes to the parents of the COVID-19 vaccine
This phenomenon could explain the presence of long-term cardiovascular complications in patients recovered from COVID-19, establishing a direct link between the inflammation of atherosclerotic plaques and the virus.
Towards a new understanding of post-COVID heart disease
Although this study opens new avenues of understanding about how COVID-19 can alter heart health, more research is needed to fully understand the many ways the disease can change heart function.
This studio only analyzed 27 samples of eight deceased elderly patients, all of whom already had coronary artery disease and were infected with the original strains of the virus. Therefore, the results of this study do not necessarily apply to younger people without coronary artery disease; or to new variants of the virus, which cause a somewhat milder illness.
However, it is crucial that people who have suffered from COVID-19 remain vigilant for the appearance of new symptoms such as shortness of breath when exerting themselves, chest discomfort, especially during physical activity, irregular heart rhythms and fainting. Given these signs, it is essential to consult a doctor to evaluate the possibility of an underlying heart condition.
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