Medical professionals have observed a surge in cardiac symptoms during the lockdown, in patients with or without Covid-19 infection.
But are these caused by heart problems or Covid-19, and should we be concerned?
What the cardiologist can do:
We noticed a surge in cardiac symptoms during the lockdown, in patients with or without Covid-19 infection. Patients came to the cardiac clinic after experiencing chest pain, palpitations or shortness of breath.
To understand if these symptoms are caused by a heart problem or not, a cardiologist can conduct a thorough examination and simple cardiac tests, such as an ECG, a cardiac ultrasound or a cardiac CT scan.
If the results are normal, it gives reassurance to the patient which often helps relieve stress-related symptoms, and indicates that the symptoms are not related to a problem affecting the heart. If any abnormality is found, the appropriate treatment can be started and the cardiologist can also advise on healthy lifestyle measures.
Can Covid-19 cause damage to the heart?
Early studies in 2020 raised fear of aggressive Covid-19 heart disease. In particular, a German study reported abnormal heart findings in up to 3/4 of recovered Covid-19 patients. This study used a very specific test called ‘cardiac magnetic resonance scan’ to detect signs of the inflamed heart muscle, a condition known as myocarditis.
After a year of intense debate and studies on thousands of patients, the conclusion seems much more reassuring: Covid-19 does not affect the heart more frequently than other viruses.
There is also emerging evidence that people who develop long Covid can have symptoms of a condition called PoTS (postural tachycardia syndrome): dizziness when moving to an upright position, palpitations and fatigue. This needs careful assessment and can be managed by diet, exercise and medication.
Am I at higher risk to Covid-19? What should I do if I am?
Most severe Covid-19 cases have been tied to 4 cardiometabolic conditions: hypertension, diabetes, obesity and heart failure. These conditions can increase the risk of inflammation and blood clots, which are mechanisms involved in severe Covid-19.
Physical inactivity/sedentary lifestyle has increased worldwide during the lockdown. It is a major cause of cardiometabolic problems: for example, the risk of developing type 2 diabetes is 50-80% higher in individuals who are physically inactive.
Along with ‘hands, face, space’, public health messages should promote healthy lifestyle measures (exercising more, eating healthily) to improve cardiometabolic health and minimise the risk for severe COVID-19.
