Cardiovascular Complications of COVID-19: Acute Injury, Post-Acute Sequelae, and Long-Term Cardiovascular Risk

Abstract

The virus responsible for the disease COVID-19, which has greatly influenced health care worldwide, is referred to as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Although it is clear that this infection impacts the respiratory system, there have been many incidences where coronavirus affects the circulatory system as well. Various studies have identified correlations between coronavirus and different cardiovascular complications. These viruses infect the host cells via ACE2 receptors, which interfere with the renin angiotensin aldosterone systems, causing inflammation and damaging the blood vessels, resulting in damage to cardiac muscle cells. Consequently, heart attack, myocarditis, arrhythmia, thrombosis, heart failure, and ischemic heart disease develop in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. People who have cardiac disease before the infection are at increased risk of the impact of the coronavirus infections. Finally, post-COVID syndrome (long COVID) is also associated with cardiovascular complications including chest pain, palpitation, dyspnea, fatigue, tachypnea, tachycardia, and myocardial damage. Numerous studies have found that there are patterns in the relationship between coronavirus and different complications related to heart health.