Coronavirus: Can COVID-19 impact your heart? Here are some warning signs that you should know

While COVID-19 starts off as a respiratory infection, it can leave a profound impact on the body.

One vital organ that suffers the most brunt could be the heart. During the second wave, a lot of people are succumbing to heart attacks, while being treated for COVID, implying that the after-effects of contracting the virus may be far-reaching than previously assumed.

Now, as doctors are increasingly observing, there has been a sharp rise in the number of younger, healthy people suffering from heart ailments, without having an apparent risk for it. But what seems to be causing this?

Some patients can continue to experience symptoms like shortness of breath, chest pain, weakness and fluttering pulse rate weeks after recovering from it. Another JAMA study done last year pointed out that over 70% of patients suffer from one or more symptoms of heart trouble post infection.

As evidence suggests, there could be more than one probable cause for the same.

Myocarditis or heart inflammation is one of the most common complication post-COVID, which may be set off due to the infamous cytokine storm caused by the virus, wherein the immune system turns on the healthy organs, causing widescale infections.

Oxygen deprivation, a common risk factor with COVID severity may also be to blame. Any disruption in the healthy oxygenated blood can also cause inflammation, weaken heart muscles and trigger problems.

Experts also say that there has been a rise in the number of clotting incidents reported with COVID, meaning that COVID may be just as devastating for the limbic system, blood vessels, as is for the lungs. Doctors also opine that in some cases, the virus could also lead to the formation of blood clots, damage linings of the inner blood vessels, which in turn, increase the risk of cardiac arrests and complications, even for the ones who have no previous history.

Poor lifestyle, bad diets could further aggravate problems. Irrational use of blood thinners with COVID may also fuel the cause. COVID-stricken anxiety could also push the body into pumping more blood and increase heart rate and pressure.

That being said, what remains important is for patients and caregivers to remain cautious about warning signs and symptoms of heart trouble, during and after battling a COVID infection.

Experiencing any kind of discomfort, tightness, pressure, pain or heaviness in and around the chest cavity is a pressing cause of concern.

Many patients detail the pain to be similar to a squeezing, aching sensation in the chest which may often spread to the arms, neck. Abdominal pain, anxiety may be expected as well.

Any time you feel you are gasping for breath, feel unable to complete words or phrases at a stretch should not be treated lightly. Breathing difficulties, shortness of breath, a common complication with COVID can strike when there's not enough flow of oxygenated blood to the lungs and vital organs.

There's more than one reason why doctors suggest patients keep oximeters handy. Sudden, extreme fluctuations in oxygen levels (the ideal percentage is over 93%) should be a sign of concern. Persistent cough, rapid or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmias) and signs of dyspnea should never be ignored. This is also a reason why post COVID, patients should continue to monitor their vitals, oxygen levels for good heart care.

A warning sign of a heart attack could strike in the form of dizziness. Fatigue, lightheadedness, or having a reduced ability to sit, stand, or carry through with a given activity could be caused by exhaustion, when the heart muscles tire and render the body weak to function.

Extreme sweating could also be a warning sign of a cardiac arrest. When there's a lot of clotting in the body, the heart takes longer to pump blood from the clogged arteries and sweating happens to regulate body temperature caused by the added exhaustion. Be careful and seek medical help at the earliest.