COVID-19 and heart disease are closely related in many ways. Unfortunately, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are far from over and we are learning more and more about how COVID-19 has and will continue to affect our bodies and our overall health! Continue reading to learn more about COVID-19’s effect on your heart and how it can lead to heart disease.
How COVID-19 Affects Your Heart
COVID-19 usually doesn’t directly cause heart disease, but it can cause many other problems within your body that can lead to heart damage and heart disease. Here’s how it works:
- While You are Infected with COVID-19
- While infected with COVID-19, heart damage may appear while sick or hospitalized. Myocardial injury (cells in your heart that have died or are damaged) could be found through blood tests or the patient may show signs, like chest pain. Myocardial injury is becoming more common in patients that have been hospitalized due to COVID-19.
- Inflammation
- COVID-19 can cause inflammation that could potentially lead to heart damage. As your body’s immune system must work harder to fight off the COVID-19 virus, more inflammation cells and cytokines are produced. Too much inflammation can be very harmful to your cardiovascular system and can cause arrhythmias, blood clots, heart failure, and more.
What You Can Do to Protect Your Heart
- Eat a heart-healthy diet
- Exercise regularly
- Quit smoking
- Manage stress and mental health
- Avoid heavily drinking alcohol
- Take medicines as directed
Not everyone will develop heart issues after being infected with COVID-19, but it is possible, and it is important to prioritize your heart health. If you have any questions about heart health and how COVID-19 has affected your heart, contact us today, our team is happy to answer any questions you have! If you have any concerns about your heart health, visit our website to view our cardiology services.