During the peak of COVID-19 pandemic doctors started noticing that SARS-CoV-2 virus could damage the heart as well. Now in a new study, led by NHS Golden Jubilee and the University of Glasgow, scientists confirmed the link between COVID-19 and impaired function of the right side of the heart. Interestingly, these findings could come in particularly useful in treating other potentially fatal heart and lung issues.
SARS-CoV-2 virus causes a respiratory infection, but it can lead to some heart damage. Image credit: We Are Covert via Wikimedia
.jpg){kind=link}
Scientists analysed data from 121 critically ill COVID-19 patients who were receiving treatment on ventilators. They found that around a third of these patients had some abnormalities in the right side of the heart. That heart damage can cause death, because that part of the heart pumps blood to the lungs to get it oxygenated. Scientists said that a “perfect storm” needs to happen for COVID-19 to damage heart tissue – SARS-CoV-2 impairs lung function and this could lead to lungs not accepting blood.
Lead Author of the study Dr Philip McCall said: “This is a very difficult condition to spot, unless you are specifically looking for it. That is why the results of this study are so important. We now know that COVID-19 is a problem associated with not just ventilation, but can affect the heart.” Scientists have no doubts that this effect plays a huge role in the final outcome of the patient. Heart damage can lead to all kinds of problems in the future, even if the patient manages to survive and leave the hospital. However, an early diagnosis can change that outcome completely.
Scientists say that early warning signs about the possibility of heart damage can be detected using ultrasound scans. Further studies may detail what doctors should look for and how these risks should be addressed. But an early detection should open the door for effective treatments that could improve the outcomes for the sickest patients with COVID-19.
47 % of the 121 patients included in this study died because of COVID-19. That is more than the number of people who had abnormalities in their right side of the hearts. However, it is clear that heart damage leads to deteriorating health and even surviving this condition may lead to a life with long-term consequences.
COVID-19 is an infectious respiratory disease, but it affects the entire body. People now think that the pandemic is over and it might be coming to an end. However, scientists are still pushing for more knowledge, because in the future it can help treat other lung and heart diseases as well as be useful in case another pandemic comes.
Source: University of Glasgow