Edited by: Swati Chaturvedi
Last updated: February 19, 2023, 12:00 AM IST
Patients with a history of COVID-19 should pay extra attention to their cardiovascular health
Persistent fatigue, dizziness, a pounding heart, chest pain, shortness of breath, joint pain, brain fog, and anxiety are all symptoms of long-term COVID
While the world appears to have returned to pre-covid life, many are still recovering from a host of health conditions often referred to as long-term COVID. Even if the COVID-19 infection was mild, persistent symptoms can occur weeks or months after detection and happen to anyone. Persistent fatigue, dizziness, a fast beating or pounding heart, chest pain, shortness of breath, joint or muscle pain, brain fog, and anxiety are all symptoms of long-term COVID seen in affected patients.
In addition to long-term COVID cases, we see sudden cardiac arrest cases have also increased significantly in India, especially in younger age groups. According to research from the American Heart Journal, people in their mid-30s to mid-40s witness a 13% increase in sudden cardiac arrest. The correlation between heart health and COVID-19 is something cardiologists and researchers around the world are researching. To investigate this further, a study is being conducted by The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Several AIIMS cardiologists and forensic experts will be reviewing the most recent cases of sudden cardiac arrest and a verbal autopsy to determine cause of death – COVID-19 being one of them.
“COVID-19 affects a person’s organ systems in numerous ways, most notably Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS), where different body parts swell and affect their functioning. While most people recover completely after 12 weeks, in some cases symptoms may last longer. It is challenging to draw a firm conclusion about long-term covid causing chronic health problems given the unavailability of global data,” said Dr Rakesh Kumar Jaswal, Director & HOD Cardiology, Fortis Hospital, Mohali. However, if one complains of persistent chest pain accompanied by nausea, vomiting, sweating or shortness of breath, urgent medical attention is indicated.
A possible link between COVID-19 and heart health
Patients with a history of COVID-19 should pay extra attention to their cardiovascular health. Research has shown that the risk of developing heart disease is “significantly” higher in COVID-19 survivors than those with no history of the infection. “Individuals who have been previously diagnosed with a heart condition such as arrhythmia, have had a heart attack, have a weak heart, or have a family history of cardiovascular disease are most vulnerable to sudden cardiac arrest,” adds Jaswal.
Individuals with any of these conditions are at high risk for long-term COVID and should take extra care, keeping their heart health the number one priority. In addition, if the individual suffers from any of the symptoms listed below, immediate medical check-up is advised:
- Chestpain
- Palpitations or irregular heartbeats
- Unexplained high-pitched whistling sound made while breathing
- shortness of breath
- Fainting or nearly fainting
- Dizziness
Effective oversight is key
To reduce the risk of heart disease and prevent cardiac arrest, it is recommended that every individual in their 30s undergo timely preventive screenings, evaluate familial risks, and take appropriate action. Even if a person is busy with work, he should try to include some exercise in his schedule. Everyone should watch their diet, gain strength and do breathing exercises and yoga to keep the body active.
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“Patients who are at risk of developing heart disease or more specifically cardiac arrest can receive an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) device. It is a device that can monitor and improve heart rate and deliver electric shocks during potentially fatal cardiac arrhythmias to restore normal heartbeat. It is a small, battery-operated device that is inserted into the chest to monitor the patient’s heart rate and identify irregularities,” says Jaswal.
With cases of sudden cardiac arrest rising across the country, the more everyone knows about the condition, the better prepared they will be to handle an emergency. Individuals should take the right steps to keep their hearts healthy and talk to experts about cardiac arrest warning signs, make sure those around them have proper training in CPR, and have information about the advanced treatment ahead of them.
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