edited by: Swati Chaturvedi
Last Update: February 19, 2023, 12:00 IST
Patients with a history of COVID-19 should pay extra attention to their heart health
Persistent fatigue, dizziness, pounding heart, chest pain, shortness of breath, joint pain, brain fog and anxiety are all symptoms of prolonged COVID
While the world seems to have returned to pre-Covid life, many are still reeling from the myriad of health problems often referred to as prolonged COVID. Even if the COVID-19 infection was mild, long-term symptoms can appear weeks or months after diagnosis and can happen to anyone. Persistent fatigue, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, chest pain, shortness of breath, joint or muscle pain, brain fog and anxiety are all long-lasting Covid symptoms observed in affected patients .
Along with prolonged Covid cases, we are seeing a significant increase in sudden cardiac arrest cases in India, especially among younger people. According to research in the American Heart Journal, people between the ages of 30 and 40 are seeing a 13% increase in sudden cardiac arrest. The connection between heart health and COVID-19 is something that cardiologists and researchers around the world are investigating. A study is being conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to further investigate this. Several cardiologists and forensic experts from AIIMS will review the most recent cases of sudden cardiac arrest and oral autopsies to determine the cause of death – COVID-19 being one of them.
“COVID-19 affects one’s organ system in multiple ways, especially Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS), where different organs of the body become inflamed, affecting their functioning. While most individuals recover completely after 12 weeks, in some cases, symptoms may last longer. Given the unavailability of global data, it is challenging to draw a definitive conclusion about the long-term health problems post-Covid can cause.” However, if one complains of persistent chest pain that is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, sweating or shortness of breath, immediate medical intervention is advised.
A possible link between COVID-19 and heart health
Patients with a history of COVID-19 should pay extra attention to their heart health. Research has shown that the risk of developing heart disease is ‘significantly’ higher in survivors of COVID-19 than in people with no history of infection. “People who have previously been diagnosed with a heart condition such as a heart rhythm disorder, have had a heart attack, have a weak heart, or have a family history of cardiovascular diseases,” says Jaswal.
Individuals with any of these conditions are at high risk of COVID in the long run and should be extra vigilant, keeping their heart health as a top priority. Additionally, an immediate medical check-up is advised if the person is suffering from any of the below mentioned symptoms:
- Pain in chest
- heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat
- unexplained high-pitched whistling sound when breathing
- difficulty breathing
- fainting or near fainting
- Dizziness
Effective Monitoring Is Key
To reduce the risk of heart diseases and prevent cardiac arrest, it is recommended that every person in their 30s should undergo timely preventive check-ups, evaluate family risks and take appropriate action. Even if one is busy with work, he should try to include some exercise in his schedule. One should take care of his diet, gain strength and practice breathing exercises and yoga to keep the body active.
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“Patients who are at risk of heart diseases or especially cardiac arrest can get an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) device. It is a device that can monitor and correct the heartbeat and deliver electrical shocks during potentially fatal cardiac arrhythmias to restore a normal heart rate. It is a small, battery-operated device that is inserted into the chest of patients to track their heartbeat and identify irregularities,” Jaswal said.
With cases of sudden cardiac arrest rising across the country, the more everyone knows about the situation, the better prepared they will be to handle an emergency. Individuals should take appropriate steps to keep their heart healthy and talk to experts about the warning signs of cardiac arrest, ensure that people around are properly trained in CPR and further advanced treatment contain information.
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