The study found that 1 in 3 patients showed evidence of abnormalities in the right side of the heart
The more research is being carried out in COVID, the more seem to be left unresearched. Two years before when COVID causing coronavirus was a novel virus, researchers and health experts were busy in finding a vaccine to counter its effect on the human body, two years later when we have vaccines and booster shots available in plenty, the aftermath of a COVID attack has become the centre of attention.
COVID virus works in a mysterious manner. There is no particular way this virus attacks and leaves its footprint in the human system. Until now, it has been seen that COVID attacks can affect every human organ to different degrees. Such is the impact of this virus that one can never figure out which organ function has been disrupted meanwhile.
COVID and its impact on heart
For those who have had COVID, an effect on heart problems can complicate the recovery. Though COVID is primarily a respiratory problem, the heart can also suffer from the viral attack.
"In some people, heart rates can vary from fast to slow, unrelated to exertion, for no apparent reason. Shortness of breath, chest pain or palpitations after having COVID-19 is a common complaint," say experts at John Hopkins.
The occurrence of type 2 heart attacks are commonly seen in patients with COVID. This might be due to increased stress on the heart, such as a fast heartbeat, low blood oxygen levels or anemia, because the heart muscle does not get sufficient oxygen in the blood in order to do this extra work. “We have seen this in people with acute coronavirus disease, but it is less common in those who have survived the illness," the experts at John Hopkins add.
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What does the new research study say?
According to a new study on intensive care patients in Scotland, coronavirus infection is associated with impaired function of the right side of the heart.
The research study carried out by the researchers from NHS Golden Jubilee and the University of Glasgow in Scotland included the data collected from 10 ICUs having 121 critically ill patients. These people were receiving treatment on ventilators due to COVID.
Close to 47% of the patients in the study died of COVID.
What did the research study find?
The study found that 1 in 3 patients showed evidence of abnormalities in the right side of the heart -- the part that pumps blood to the lungs.
"A combination of factors create the perfect storm for Covid-19 to damage the right side of your heart, which ultimately can cause death," said Philip McCall, lead author of the study and consultant in Cardiothoracic Anaesthesia and Intensive Care at NHS Golden Jubilee.
"If you are pumping blood to the lungs and the lungs become very sick, you have an additional problem because the lungs are not willing to receive blood. This is a very difficult condition to spot, unless you are specifically looking for it. That is why the results of this study are so important," he added.
What are the warning signs one should be careful about?
Severe COVID affects the endothelial cells which subsequently cause blood vessel inflammation, damage to blood vessels. These obstruct the flow of blood to the heart. The common symptoms of COVID associated heart problems are:
- Tightness or a squeezing sensation in the chest
- Lightheadedness
- Nausea
- Cold sweat
- Breathing issues or shortness of breath
- Irregular heartbeat
- Discomfort in arms, neck, jaw; sometimes one can also experience pain in stomach