How does nCoV damage the heart?
The initial clinical manifestation of Covid-19 patients is pneumonia, which if progressed to the late stage will cause damage to multiple organs, including the cardiovascular system.
This damage may be due to direct viral involvement of the myocardium or indirectly through the systemic inflammatory response and lung injury. In addition, antiviral drugs used to treat nCoV have been reported to cause arrhythmias.
The progression of nCoV infection includes three intertwined stages: early infection stage, lung-related stage, and hyperinflammatory stage.
StageFirstlyincludes the migration and replication of the virus into lung tissue. Monocytes and macrophages are the innate immune elements responsible for fighting the virus during this phase, and patients may have mild symptoms.
Lung tissue injury develops in the next step, and vasodilation, increased endothelial permeability, and leukocyte activation occur in theMondayThis pathogenesis leads to lung damage, hypoxemia, and increased damage to the cardiovascular system.
10% of patients in stage two progress to stagehyperinflammation. The hyperinflammatory phase is characterized by the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), acute cardiac injury, multiple organ failure, secondary bacterial infections, sepsis, and increased need for intensive care.
The exact mechanism of cardiovascular damage is unclear, but doctors have noted some signs. For example, acute heart damage, with elevated cardiac troponin, has been reported in 8-12% of nCoV patients. This damage is a poor prognostic factor in Covid-19 patients.
nCoV-infected patients with underlying cardiovascular problems have a worse prognosis.Patients with cardiovascular complications that increase the need for mechanical ventilation and complex arrhythmias related to myocardial tissue stress; or arrhythmic side effects of antiviral and anti-inflammatory drugs.
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| nCoV causes damage to the cardiovascular system. |
Note for cardiovascular patients
All cardiovascular patients are at high risk and should follow the Ministry of Health's epidemic prevention guidelines and follow the 5K correctly. They should be vaccinated against Covid-19.
If the patient is in an epidemic area and has a stable cardiovascular condition, avoiding direct visits to medical facilities, the patient can talk to the doctor remotely.
To improve the immune system, patients should always eat well, avoid alcohol, ensure sleep, do light exercise and avoid unnecessary stress.