A year into the COVID-19 pandemic, cardiologists continue to explore the science behind two conclusions: having cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a predictor of a poorer outcome in patients infected with the novel coronavirus, while the virus can also cause symptoms of cardiovascular disease and even heart muscle damage in previously healthy patients.
COVID-19 can disrupt the normal clotting process in the blood and create blood clots that trigger heart attacks. It can also invade the heart muscle causing inflammation called myocarditis, which carries a heightened risk for heart failure in the future. Both impacts are widespread among severe cases.
However, a growing body of research points to many patients suffering some form of COVID-19 heart injury even if they were able to ride out their infection at home.
Deborah Heart and Lung Center chair of cardiology Vincent Pompili, MD cites a review of heart MRIs of college athletes who had COVID-19 early in the pandemic.
"One-third of those patients, those athletes, actually had evidence on their cardiac MRI of inflammation of the heart, "Dr. Pompili noted. "That worries us as cardiologists."
That's one of many reasons Dr. Pompili and his colleagues support widespread vaccination against COVID-19 infection.
"We don't know why some people suffer horrible effects of that viral infection," he said, "and others just kind of go on without further long-term symptoms."
KYW's Rasa Kaye talks with Dr. Pompili in detail about the ways COVID-19 directly and indirectly injures the heart muscle, the long-term effects, vaccines, and other ways we can strengthen our defenses against even an endemic form of the novel coronavirus as we head into life in a post-pandemic "New Normal."
To schedule an appointment, visit DemandDeborah.org or call 609-831-4456.
