The Effects of COVID-19 on the Heart

Baptist Health Paducah: The Effects of COVID-19 on the Heart

Dr. Brian Lea talks about heart issues caused by COVID-19. Watch the video to learn more about the effects and damages on the heart caused by COVID-19. 

The Effects of COVID-19 on the Heart HealthTalks Transcript

Brian Lea, MD, Cardiology:

COVID-19 can have some long-term effects on the cardiovascular system. One is that it could potentially cause a myocarditis, which is an inflammation of the heart muscle. COVID-19 can also have an effect on the blood vessels, causing an inflammation of the blood vessels. COVID can potentially increase your chance of blood clots, which can embolize to the heart, causing a thromboembolic disease. It’s also possible that COVID-19 can affect plaques that have built up in your body. For people who’ve already had previous plaques, COVID can potentially disrupt those plaques, leading to unstable blood flow and, potentially, a heart attack.

Patients who have risk factors such as heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and smokers and obese patients are more likely to have severe cases that require hospitalization, ICU admission and, potentially, a higher chance of mortality or death.

If you have a heart condition, vaccination is the most important thing — make sure you get vaccinated. Once you get vaccinated, be smart, practice good hygiene, wear a mask when in appropriate situations, and live safe and healthy. The more you take care of yourself — eat healthy, exercise, stop smoking — can go a long way to making you healthy in general and even decrease your chance of a severe COVID infection. 

Next Steps and Useful Resources

Schedule Your COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment
Start Your COVID-19 Test Online
What Are the Long-Term Effects of COVID-19?
How Does COVID-19 Affect the Heart?