Covid leaves an impact on heart: Study

Covid leaves an impact on heart: Study

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, July 31, 2020:   A large percentage of people who recover from Covid-19 face serious heart problems or damage in subsequent months, reveals a new research.

 

The study, which was published in the Journal of American Medical Association on July 27 and involved 100 recovered patients in Germany, is being considered by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and doctors involved in the fight against the pandemic.

“The findings show that Covid-19 cannot be considered as a respiratory disease alone,” said Dr Ranjan Shetty, Head of Cardiology, Manipal Hospitals.

All 100 patients involved in the study were healthy. Sixty-seven were asymptomatic or mild symptomatic and had recovered at home. Using a combination of MRI scans, blood tests and heart tissue autopsies, the researchers found that 78% of the test subjects had developed cardiac problems. Within 60%, ongoing myocardial inflammation was found, independent of preexisting conditions.

Science says that the heart is vulnerable to Covid-19 as the Sars-CoV-2 virus attaches itself to the ACE-2 receptors of cells, especially heart cells.

Dr Shetty cited the example of a 27-year-old Bengaluru resident whose family was identified as Covid-19 positive four days ago. “He had no history of heart disease and had tested negative for Covid-19. But he suddenly developed myocardial inflammation. Consequently, he was designated as a suspected Covid patient,” he said.

“We already know that viral infections can cause myocarditis,” said Dr K S Satish, President, Karnataka Pulmonology Association.

"Its effect on the heart is important. In several cases, Covid patients have suffered sudden cardiac arrest and passed away,” he said.

Courtesy:Deccan Herald