Page 19 - SFHN Feb 2021

Cardiology

The Effects of COVID-19 on the Heart

This year, more so than any other, the focus on Heart Month in February But also at risk are those patients that, because of the virus, have
inevitably is tied to COVID-19. While heart disease is the leading cause of not kept up with doctor appointments or routine screenings and tests
death for both men and women with one person dying from cardiovascu- or have not sought medical attention when they should have. That
lar disease every 36 seconds in the U.S., the situation has escalated during can mean the difference between life and death.
the pandemic. The Covid mRNA vaccines are safe, generally well tolerated and
Patients with cardiac risk or cardiac disease have higher risk for worse confer a high level of immunity. It is recommended that when the
outcomes with COVID so it is important that patients with cardiac condi- time comes for each of us to get vaccinated that we do so. Influenza
tions or risk manage their risk appropriately. This includes continuation of vaccination reduces adverse cardiac outcomes in cardiac patients. It
usual care, including medications that appear to reduce adverse cardiac is conceivable that the COVID vaccination may do the same.
and COVID related outcomes. While the vaccine is a gamechanger that will diminish the pandem-
The key is for cardiac and cardiac risk patients with COVID to seek ic, we still must remain vigilant. We cannot convey enough the
medical attention immediately. They may benefit from therapy, such as importance of following CDC guidelines in everyday life. Prevention
monoclonal antibody therapy, to prevent COVID illness progression. BY JOSHUA M. does make a difference.
Patients that have recovered from COVID may exhibit long term car- LARNED, MD That means we all must continue to:
diopulmonary sequelae such as diminished exercise capacity and fatigue. • wear a face mask when out in public, especially in areas where it
Those patients that have recovered with cardiac involvement should be is difficult to social distance;
screened by cardiologists prior to resuming exercise. • practice hand hygiene by wash your hands frequently with soap and water;
Then there are those patients, at any age, without cardiac risk or cardiac disease • physically distance at least six feet apart; and
that may also be susceptible to cardiac injury with COVID illness, although the risk • avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes.
of COVID cardiac involvement is less clear in these patients. There is concern now
that even a mild case of COVID may cause inflammation and damage to the heart. Dr. Joshua Larned, cardiologist at Holy Cross Health in Fort Lauderdale, can be reached
Various mechanisms of injury in COVID illness include heart attack, heart inflamma- at (954) 772-2136 or Joshua.Larned@holy-cross.com.
tion, heart failure and venous or arterial thrombosis.

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