COVID-19's Potential Long-term Effects on Heart Health Revealed in Autopsies

According to recent findings, COVID-19 may induce long-term effects on the heart, even in patients who have no previous history of heart disease.

Time reports that Dr. Andrew Marks, chair of the department of physiology at Columbia University, and his colleagues documented abnormalities observed in the heart tissue of COVID-19 patients who had passed away as a result of the disease.

The team carried out autopsy examinations and discovered a variety of anomalies, most notably in the manner in which the heart cells regulate calcium.

The Heart and Calcium

For organs to function effectively, every cell in the body must be able to communicate with other cells. One way cells accomplish this is by using "messengers," similar to little signals sent from one cell to another. Experts say one of the essential messengers is known as calcium ions.

In the cardiac muscle cells, calcium ions are crucial. They assist heart cells in communicating with one another and contracting (or squeezing) at the appropriate periods to pump blood throughout the body.

Additionally, the heart's muscle cells store calcium and release it through special channels as required. In some instances, such as heart failure, the channel remains open to assist the heart muscle in contracting more vigorously. This eventually depletes calcium reserves, thereby weakening the muscle.

Marks' investigation showed that, in terms of calcium processing, the heart tissue of ten COVID-19 patients who had died from the disease resembled those with heart failure.

The immune system is critical in linking the viral infection and the heart. The body reacts to SARS-CoV-2 by inducing an inflammatory reaction that dramatically activates the immune system.

It appears that the same inflammatory process in the heart activates pathways that might harm heart function. To further understand the procedure, more study is necessary.

Prior research has already identified a connection between COVID-19 infections and heart complications. A 2022 study revealed that those with COVID-19 were more likely to experience a variety of heart-related concerns, such as irregular heartbeats, heart attacks, and strokes.

Individuals with hypertension may also be at an increased risk for heart disease if they contract COVID-19.

Studying the Heart Further

Livemint reports that Marks intends to examine how the infection affects the hearts of mice and hamsters. He plans to do this by measuring how the immune cells and hearts of the animals change while they are infected and after they have gotten better.

The data from COVID-19 victims show that there are severe changes in the heart. The exact cause of these changes and their long-term effects need more research.

This new study shows that COVID-19 may have long-lasting effects on the heart, and more research is needed to determine the exact cause and long-term effects of these changes.

By learning how the virus affects the heart, doctors will be able to better treat people who may be at a higher risk of COVID-19-related heart problems. This could lead to fewer hospitalizations and deaths caused by the disease.

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