COVID-19 Virus: Higher Risk for A-Fib Patients
COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, has sickened hundreds of thousands and continues to kill large numbers of people worldwide.
Typically, it’s considered a threat to the lungs, but COVID-19 also presents a significant threat to heart health, according to recently published research.
“But It’s Just the Flu, Right?”
“During most flu epidemics, more people die of heart problems than respiratory issues like pneumonia,” according to Dr. Mohammad Madjid, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth. He expects similar cardiac problems among severe COVID-19 cases.
In addition, COVID-19 can worsen existing cardiovascular disease. For example, Atrial Fibrillation patients may develop myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle. If left untreated, myocarditis may lead to symptoms of heart failure.
And for otherwise healthy people, COVID-19 can cause new heart problems.
Comorbid Conditions Increase Fatality Rate
Many A-Fib patients also suffer from other chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. With comorbid conditions, COVID-19 can increase the severity and fatality of the virus.
According to research from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CCDC), COVID-19 patients from mainland China who reported no comorbid conditions had a case fatality rate of 0.9%.
While patients with the following comorbid conditions had much higher rates:
+ 10.5% for those with cardiovascular disease
+ 7.3% for diabetes
+ 6.3% for chronic respiratory disease
+ 6.0% for hypertension
+ 5.6% for cancer.
Among critical cases, the case fatality rate is unsurprisingly highest at 49%.
Take Away: A-Fib Patients at Higher Risk for COVID-19
Patients with underlying cardiovascular disease (i.e., A-Fib) are at higher risk for developing COVID-19 and have a worse outlook. Prior heart disease is a risk factor for higher mortality from COVID-19. Cardiovascular patients are encouraged to take additional, reasonable precautions to avoid contact with the COVID-19 virus. And to stay current with vaccinations, especially for influenza and pneumonia. Since people can spread the COVID-19 virus before they know they are sick, it is important to stay away from others when possible, even if you or they have no symptoms. • Stay at least 6 feet (2 meters) from other people Social distancing is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick including older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions. For more information: see the article “How to Protect Yourself & Others” from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).A-Fib Patients: Practice Social Distancing and Stay Safe at Home
• Do not gather in groups
• Stay out of crowded places and avoid mass gatheringsRelated Posts