Prof Ram Shankar Upadhayaya
After a year of lull, there is a global surge in Covid-19 cases attributed to the emergence of the new variant JN.1. This variant appears to be more contagious, although less severe.
The spike in Covid-19 cases is notable, especially with a record number of people travelling during this holiday season. Despite the variant being less severe, it is crucial to prioritize self-protection, as recurring Covid-19 infections can affect our vasculature, potentially leading to vascular diseases, including cardiovascular issues involving the heart.
Our understanding of the immediate and potential long-term risks associated with Covid-19 has become increasingly evident. Many individuals have been exposed to the virus, and emerging studies indicate a link between severe Covid-19 infections and heart complications, ranging from subclinical concerns to more severe conditions.
During the initial two years of the pandemic (March 2020 to March 2022), the United States witnessed a significant increase in cardiovascular-related deaths. Notably, a study highlighted a substantial rise in heart attack deaths among individuals aged 25 to 44.
India, too, has experienced a surge in heart attacks, especially among those who have recovered from Covid-19. The connection between coronavirus infection and heart issues is emphasized, with the virus impacting artery walls and macrophages, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes due to inflammation in plaque formation. Additionally, Covid-19 can lead to cardiomyopathy, affecting the heart’s pumping function.
A noteworthy study conducted by Basel University in Switzerland, published in the European Journal of Heart Failure in October 2023, adds a new layer to this understanding.
Focusing on individuals who received their first booster vaccine (mRNA), the study found that 2.8% exhibited heart inflammation or heart cell damage.
While cases in this study were mild and temporary, the long-term effects remain uncertain. This significant rise raises concerns and demands attention. Importantly, this study examined individuals regardless of whether they displayed symptoms.
Those who experienced heart issues did not exhibit any signs or abnormalities on their heart monitors (EKG). Instead, they had elevated levels of a substance known as cardiac troponin in their blood, indicating heart damage particularly pericarditis and myocarditis.
Heart inflammation can lead to complications like irregular heartbeats, heart failure, or damage to heart tissue, and heart damage. It’s crucial to acknowledge these potential issues, urging individuals, whether patients or healthy, to exercise caution in subjecting their bodies to excessive stress.
Health authorities should emphasize the uncertainty of long-term effects and the possibility of complications like irregular heartbeats or heart failure. In the light of this, development of straightforward emergency guidelines by health authorities and cardiovascular treatment committees is a must to address heart-related issues in the interim before reaching clinicians or the hospital.
These guidelines may involve a combination of medications, including blood thinners, clot busters (thrombolytics or fibrinolytics), cholesterol-lowering agents (Statins), and Nitroglycerin. These drugs can facilitate smoother blood pumping by the heart and enhance blood flow in the coronary arteries.
Additionally, it’s crucial to incorporate CPR to sustain blood circulation while awaiting emergency medical assistance, emphasizing chest compressions at approximately 100 to 120 compressions per minute.
As we continue to navigate the complexities of Covid-19 and its potential impacts on heart health, awareness and preventive measures are paramount. Let’s heed the call to action, prioritize our well-being, and share this vital information to foster a community of responsible health practices.
(The writer is a US-based medical scientist)
After a year of lull, there is a global surge in Covid-19 cases attributed to the emergence of the new variant JN.1. This variant appears to be more contagious, although less severe.
The spike in Covid-19 cases is notable, especially with a record number of people travelling during this holiday season. Despite the variant being less severe, it is crucial to prioritize self-protection, as recurring Covid-19 infections can affect our vasculature, potentially leading to vascular diseases, including cardiovascular issues involving the heart.
Our understanding of the immediate and potential long-term risks associated with Covid-19 has become increasingly evident. Many individuals have been exposed to the virus, and emerging studies indicate a link between severe Covid-19 infections and heart complications, ranging from subclinical concerns to more severe conditions.
During the initial two years of the pandemic (March 2020 to March 2022), the United States witnessed a significant increase in cardiovascular-related deaths. Notably, a study highlighted a substantial rise in heart attack deaths among individuals aged 25 to 44.
India, too, has experienced a surge in heart attacks, especially among those who have recovered from Covid-19. The connection between coronavirus infection and heart issues is emphasized, with the virus impacting artery walls and macrophages, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes due to inflammation in plaque formation. Additionally, Covid-19 can lead to cardiomyopathy, affecting the heart’s pumping function.
A noteworthy study conducted by Basel University in Switzerland, published in the European Journal of Heart Failure in October 2023, adds a new layer to this understanding.
Focusing on individuals who received their first booster vaccine (mRNA), the study found that 2.8% exhibited heart inflammation or heart cell damage.
While cases in this study were mild and temporary, the long-term effects remain uncertain. This significant rise raises concerns and demands attention. Importantly, this study examined individuals regardless of whether they displayed symptoms.
Those who experienced heart issues did not exhibit any signs or abnormalities on their heart monitors (EKG). Instead, they had elevated levels of a substance known as cardiac troponin in their blood, indicating heart damage particularly pericarditis and myocarditis.
Heart inflammation can lead to complications like irregular heartbeats, heart failure, or damage to heart tissue, and heart damage. It’s crucial to acknowledge these potential issues, urging individuals, whether patients or healthy, to exercise caution in subjecting their bodies to excessive stress.
Health authorities should emphasize the uncertainty of long-term effects and the possibility of complications like irregular heartbeats or heart failure. In the light of this, development of straightforward emergency guidelines by health authorities and cardiovascular treatment committees is a must to address heart-related issues in the interim before reaching clinicians or the hospital.
These guidelines may involve a combination of medications, including blood thinners, clot busters (thrombolytics or fibrinolytics), cholesterol-lowering agents (Statins), and Nitroglycerin. These drugs can facilitate smoother blood pumping by the heart and enhance blood flow in the coronary arteries.
Additionally, it’s crucial to incorporate CPR to sustain blood circulation while awaiting emergency medical assistance, emphasizing chest compressions at approximately 100 to 120 compressions per minute.
As we continue to navigate the complexities of Covid-19 and its potential impacts on heart health, awareness and preventive measures are paramount. Let’s heed the call to action, prioritize our well-being, and share this vital information to foster a community of responsible health practices.
(The writer is a US-based medical scientist)
