Coronavirus recovery: Why it is important to get your heart checked post-recovery

More than 80 per cent of the COVID patients do not require hospitalisation and get okay at home with teleconsultation. But the infection can have long-term side effects. In a recent study conducted by the Oxford Journal, nearly 50 per cent of the people hospitalised with severe COVID-19 have shown evidence of heart damage months after recovering from the disease.

This makes it important for the patients to get their heart checked after the recovery. As per experts, the COVID-19 infection can trigger inflammation in the body, which can lead to a weakening of the heart muscles, abnormality in heart rhythm and even blot clots.

Secondly, the virus may directly invade the receptor cells, known as ACE2 receptors, within the myocardium tissue and cause direct viral harm. Complications such as myocarditis, which is the inflammation of the heart muscles can lead to heart failure over time, if not taken care of.

For people with a pre-existing heart problem, it can increase the existing problem.

Heart failure occurs when the heart muscle doesn't pump blood as efficiently as it should. Conditions like narrowed arteries in your heart or high blood pressure leave your heart weak or stiff to fill and pump efficiently. It is a chronic problem and can get worse if not treated on time. But with the right medication and therapy, the patient can live longer and better with it.

Experts suggest that people who have developed chest pains post-COVID-19 or had any minor heart disease prior to the infection should get an imaging test done. The test can show if the virus has caused lasting damage to the heart muscles. It is also for people who have experienced mild symptoms.

Many patients develop chronic heart muscle weakness and cardiac enlargement and low heart ejection fraction after viral illnesses also called dilated cardiomyopathy.

Cardiomyopathy can worsen after COVID infection and can lead to heart failure.

During the initial stages, medication can help manage the condition. In advanced cases of heart failure, treatment options such as left ventricular assist device (LVAD) procedure or a heart transplant along with therapy, if needed can be done. The LVAD helps the left ventricle, which is the main pumping chamber of the heart pump blood to the rest of the body. It is a feasible and safe option for the management of this heart condition.

- Shortness of breath

- Weakness and fatigue

- Swelling in the ankles, feet and legs

- Irregular and rapid heartbeat

- Reduced ability to exercise

- Persistent cough

- Rapid weight gain from fluid retention

- Increased urge to urinate

- Lack of appetite

If you have the above symptoms, it's best not to self-diagnose and immediately visit your doctor. They can stabilise the condition and determine if these are the symptoms of heart failure or some other issue.