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As the pandemic progressed, researchers began to understand how COVID-19 affects our bodies. At the onset of the pandemic, risk factors such as heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes were quickly linked to an increased risk of serious illness and death from COVID.
We now know that among the myriad ways it can harm our health, the virus can affect the heart and directly cause a whole range of heart complications. Additionally, COVID mRNA vaccines like those from Pfizer and Moderna have been linked to heart inflammation. But it’s very rare, and you’re much more likely to get heart inflammation from COVID infection than vaccines. Here’s what we know so far.
How does COVID affect the heart?
The SARS-CoV-2 virus can directly invade the body causing inflammation. This can impact the heart, causing inflammation of myocarditis and pericarditis of the heart muscle or the outer wall of the heart. Inflammation from COVID can also cause blood to clot, which can block a heart or brain artery causing a heart attack or stroke.
COVID can also cause abnormal heart rhythms, blood clots in the legs and lungs, and heart failure. Our understanding of how COVID causes heart inflammation and heart muscle damage is becoming increasingly clear, although there is more to learn. Persistent symptoms of the virus, called “long COVID,” have been reported in about 10% to 30% of people who have contracted COVID.
A long-running COVID study, published in July, found that common cardiovascular symptoms include heart palpitations, rapid heart rate, slow heart rate, chest pain, prominent veins visible and fainting. Of about 3,700 study participants, over 90% said their recovery lasted more than eight months.
The Delta variant, first identified in India in October 2020, is highly transmissible. This is the variant responsible for blockages in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. Although the data is still emerging, it can cause more serious illness and, anecdotally, can increase the risk of heart complications.
A Scottish study found that the risk of being admitted to hospital due to COVID was about double in those with the Delta variant compared to the Alpha variant (which is from the UK). He also revealed that Delta spreads most often in young people. The good news is that two doses of the Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccines are still effective in preventing Delta complications.
COVID Vaccines And The Heart
Scientists have discovered a link between the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine and rare blood clotting syndrome. There is also a link between COVID mRNA vaccines and a rare side effect of heart inflammation (myocarditis and pericarditis). It appears to be more common in men under 30 and after the second dose of the vaccine.
But it is very rare. Of the 5.6 million doses of Pfizer vaccine administered to Australians so far, there have only been 111 cases of suspected (unconfirmed) heart inflammation reported up to August 1. No deaths associated with this vaccine side effect have been reported in Australia.
Recovery from this heart inflammation is generally good. The benefits of COVID vaccination far outweigh the potential risks of these usually mild conditions.Nonetheless, if you experience any change in symptoms after receiving a COVID vaccine, including chest pain, irregular heartbeat, fainting, or shortness of breath, you should see a doctor promptly.
The vast majority of people with heart disease can be vaccinated safely. But if you’ve had myocarditis or pericarditis in the past six months, talk to your doctor or cardiologist.
Don’t delay getting your heart checked
Many people have been reluctant to see a doctor amid the pandemic. This includes both urgent and routine heart disease care. Longer delays between the onset of symptoms and hospital treatment are reported in countries such as England, Italy and China. This makes long-term heart damage more likely.
One study found that worldwide hospital admissions for heart attacks fell by 40 to 50 percent. An Australian study found a 21% reduction in heart surgeries at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney between March and June 2020. It is important that you do not neglect your heart health, even in the midst of the pandemic. If you ever think you are having a heart attack, immediately call triple zero (000).
(With contributions from the Agencies)
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