Reasons for Heart Failure in COVID-19 Patients and How to Prevent
Covid-19 can affect various organs of the human body, including the lungs, stomach, intestine, and the recent addition to this list is the heart. Initially, it was thought that people with underlying heart disease have a higher risk of developing complications from coronavirus.
However, according to a top heart hospital in Kolkata, India, COVID-19 can bring about significant damage to the heart of a patient even if they don’t have an underlying heart condition. In fact, about 24% of coronavirus patients had experienced heart failure, says the heart hospital.
However, opinions are divided on this matter, and some doctors believe that heart failure is a result of a pre-existing heart condition that remained undiagnosed before the patient got infected with COVID-19.
What Is Heart Failure?
People think heart failure sounds scary, but it does not mean your heart function has stopped. It means that the functioning of the heart is slowing down. A common condition usually affecting people older than 65, heart disease is often the result of ageing.
Symptoms Of Heart Failure
Symptoms commonly associated with heart failure are:
- Chest pain
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Reduced appetite
- Water retention and swollen legs, feet
- Dry cough
If you experience any of the above symptoms, contact your practitioner or the heart hospital immediately.
Why Do COVID-19 Patients Develop Heart Problems?
According to scientists, COVID-19 causes drastic inflammation throughout the entire body. Such a powerful immune response can lead to rupturing of the fatty plaque built-up. The presence of a secondary infection can accelerate or aggravate this process, leading to heart failure.
Further, coronavirus drugs can reduce the efficacy of the drugs used to treat heart disease. The most notorious ones are Hydroxychloroquine and Remdesivir. Usually, this can interrupt the medications that control heart rhythm and lead to low blood pressure.
How To Prevent Heart Failure?
The best way to prevent heart failure to maintain a healthy and fit lifestyle. Living a balanced lifestyle will reduce your risk of developing heart diseases in the first place, which can be the major risk factor for developing heart failure during COVID-19. The cardiologist of a top heart hospital in Kolkata, India, recommends the following simple lifestyle changes to keep yourself healthy and safe:
- Do light exercises at home
- Get an appropriate amount of rest
- Keep your blood pressure in check, especially if you have high blood pressure
- Eat a healthy, nutritious and balanced diet
- Keep communicating with the doctor and updating him about any changes in your he
Conclusion
Maintaining optimum heart health is very important during the COVID-19 pandemic. Try to get yourself screened regularly to detect any pre-existing heart conditions at the earliest. Choose a reputed heart hospital in Kolkata, India, to get a meticulous result.
Keep following the pandemic protocols by maintaining a healthy distance from people, wearing a mask and washing your hands. While you stay indoors, try to exercise, do yoga, meditation and eat beneficial food to keep yourself in adequate health and to avoid any unwanted risks of COVID-19 and heart disease. https://www.ilshospitals.com/ is a reputed heart hospital in Kolkata; you can visit them for any cardiac related issue during this pandemic.