ST. LOUIS — Mike Camilleri, a firefighter and paramedic, is now facing the struggles of long COVID after battling the disease. Previously able to easily handle heavy equipment, Camilleri now cautiously steps onto a treadmill to test his heart’s response to a simple walk. Under the guidance of a physical therapist at Washington University in St. Louis, he takes this test seriously and focuses on his body’s reactions.
Camilleri’s case of mild COVID-19 led to a chain reaction of health issues, including dangerous blood pressure spikes, rapid heartbeat with minimal exertion, and intense chest pain. Doctors struggled to find a solution until Camilleri discovered a cardiologist at Washington University who had experience treating similar post-COVID heart problems. This discovery gave him a glimmer of hope, although a recent reinfection temporarily setback his progress.
As the world progresses through the fourth year of the pandemic, the true impact of COVID-19 on heart health is just beginning to surface. Dr. Susan Cheng, a cardiologist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, explains that the effects on the heart and vascular system far outweigh the effects on other organ systems. People who have had COVID-19 can face an increased risk of developing various heart-related issues for up to a year following the initial infection, including blood clots, irregular heartbeats, and heart attacks, even if they initially appear to have recovered.
One concerning trend is the rise in heart attack deaths, even among younger age groups who traditionally have a lower risk. Dr. Cheng’s research reveals a nearly 30% increase in heart attack deaths among individuals aged 25 to 44 within the first two years of the pandemic. Additionally, high blood pressure, a significant risk factor for heart disease, has been on the rise during the pandemic.
Some individuals with long COVID experience symptoms such as fatigue and brain fog, and they may not initially realize that their cardiovascular health is affected. Dr. Amanda Verma, a cardiologist at Washington University, explains that certain patients may present with cardiovascular issues as their primary or initial symptom of post-COVID damage.
For patients like Camilleri, who experienced a range of symptoms including worsening blood pressure and heart rate, the cardiology team at Washington University’s long COVID clinic identified abnormalities in blood flow as potential contributing factors. These patients may have an overactive fight-or-flight response system and struggle with proper dilation and constriction of their small blood vessels. By prescribing appropriate medications and implementing a carefully tailored rehabilitation plan, they aim to improve symptoms and normalize the fight-or-flight response.
The post-COVID heart risk has been evaluated using a large Veterans Administration database. Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly discovered that individuals who survived COVID-19 had a higher likelihood of experiencing abnormal heartbeats, blood clots, chest pain, palpitations, heart attacks, and strokes within a year of their recovery. Based on these findings, Al-Aly estimates that 4 out of every 100 post-COVID individuals will require care for heart-related symptoms.
Although the risk per person may be small, the scale of the pandemic means that millions may experience some cardiovascular symptoms. Ongoing research aims to gain a better understanding of these cardiac complications, and recent studies have confirmed the need to address this issue. Analysis of a large U.S. insurance database revealed that long COVID patients were twice as likely to seek care for cardiovascular problems compared to similar patients who had not contracted COVID-19.
While the link between COVID-19 and heart damage is not surprising, experts are uncertain about the long-term impact. It is possible that COVID-19 could become the next rheumatic heart disease, leaving lasting damage on the heart. However, Dr. Al-Aly emphasizes the importance of addressing other modifiable heart risks, such as high cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes control, and smoking.
In conclusion, the lingering impact of COVID-19 on heart health is beginning to emerge. It has disrupted the progress made in reducing heart-related deaths and poses a significant risk to individuals, even long after their initial infection. Efforts to understand, diagnose, and treat post-COVID heart issues are underway, urging individuals to prioritize their cardiovascular health and manage known risk factors.