Dr Ramji Mehrotra | Effects of COVID-19 on the Heart
The common understanding among laymen is that COVID-19 is just a lung disease. However, this view is not accurate. The SARS-CoV-2 virus affects the cardiovascular system also and people with high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes are prone to severe forms of COVID-19. Major risk factors Hypertension or high blood pressure is the greatest risk factor, specifically causing 2.5 times greater risk of mortality due to COVID-19 in people over 60. High blood glucose levels, high cholesterol, and obesity are the other risk factors. Short term effect of COVID-19 on the heart During the first few weeks after a person is infected, COVID-19 can affect the heart with problems such as inflammation of the heart muscle and inflammation of the membrane around the heart. According to medical research, one in four people hospitalized with COVID-19 suffer heart damage. SARS-COV-2 virus binds to the body's ACE2 receptors which help in regulating processes such as inflammation and blood