Current Trends in Cardiology is a peer-reviewed, scholarly journal aimed at worldwide dissemination of research developments in the field of cardiology and related issues. The journal focuses on the publication of scientific advancements pertaining to the development of more potent drugs, diagnostic techniques, valve therapy, stem cell therapyand other therapeutic approaches for the treatment of high risk patients of cardiac diseases.

As the toll of the Covid-19 pandemic grows, it is increasingly clear the infection is more than a lung disease. Many patients are developing heart complications, though the reasons are not fully understood.

People with heart disease or a history of stroke are at increased risk of the coronavirus infection, and of suffering more severe symptoms, according to the American Heart Association (AHA).

But those severe infections are not only damaging people's lungs. Doctors are also seeing injuries to the heart – from heart attack, to inflammation of the heart muscle, to potentially fatal heart arrhythmias.

Coronavirus may directly infect the heart

Indirectly, he explained, the overall stress of being critically ill – with lung disease that is robbing the body of oxygen – can exact a toll on people with existing heart problems.

On top of that, there may be particular effects of Covid-19, according to Dr Robert Bonow, a cardiologist at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago.

The coronavirus has proteins that attach to certain receptors in lungs. As it happens, blood vessel cells have those same receptors, Bonow explained. It's thought that the infection may sometimes directly damage blood vessels, which can cause blood clots that lead to a heart attack.

Another heart complication seen in Covid-19 is myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle.

The cause is unclear, with some researchers speculating the coronavirus may sometimes directly infect the heart. But at this point, Parikh said, actual evidence of that "isn't great".

Another possible culprit is the immune system's response against the virus. When it fires out of control – a severe inflammatory reaction known as a cytokine storm – it can damage organs throughout the body, including the heart.

Coronavirus may directly infect the heart

Indirectly, he explained, the overall stress of being critically ill – with lung disease that is robbing the body of oxygen – can exact a toll on people with existing heart problems.

Media Contact:

John Mathews
Journal Manager
Current Trends in Cardiology
Email: cardiologyres@eclinicalsci.com