A new study indicates that Covid=19 can infect key heart cells and affect how the heart functiom. The so-called “pacemarker” cells affect the rate at which the heart beats. Infection triggers a process of cell death (ferroptosis) that can drastically slow heart rate.(1)
The research was conducted by a team from the Weill Cornell Medicine, Grossman School of Medicine and NYU Langone Health in New York City.
Statistics show that 17% of Covid patients admitted to hospitals have heart arrhythmia (irregular heartbeats). EKG assessments identify tachycardia (excessively fast heart beat) as the most common heart complication of Covid-19. However, 56% of those with Covid who are admitted with a fever have brachycardia, an excessively slow heart rate. Both conditions present risks for the heart itself, as well as affecting the supply of oxygen to other vital organs including the brain.(2,3)
Now, a study of Syrian golden hamsters (which are vulnerable to Covid) confirms the ability of the virus to infect the heart’s sinus node where the pacemaker cells are found and derail their functioning. Happily, the research team also identified several potentially effective treatments.
It is possible to have an irregular heart rate without being aware of it. Thus the importance of a regular physical exam by a health professional.
One of the risks of insufficient oxygen is vascular dementia. It looks just like Alzheimer’s, although with a different origin. My father died from this. It’s an experience you don’t want, either as a patient or caregiver.
Sources:
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/covid-19-and-the-heart-can-sars-cov-2-cause-arrhythmia?utm_source=Sailthru%20Email&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=MNT%20Daily%20News&utm_content=2022-04-09&apid=32823411&rvid=1d7fc4fbc41da35ed0d96c59f74ddf89434ecc148ef542006495aeba1450e27c#Irregular-heart-rhythms-in-COVID-19-patients
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bradycardia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355474
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ventricular-tachycardia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355138
CRAIN'S COMMENTS 
Reblogged this on Ned Hamson's Second Line View of the News.
LikeLike
This is an interesting one, thank you for sharing it. I came across it thanks to Ned reblogging.
Huh, I wonder if that explains the issues I’ve had. When I caught Covid (suspected Covid, as I wasn’t allowed a test) in March 2020 when it was first starting, the most disconcerting thing was my heart. It was beating so fast and so unbelievably loudly constantly, even when calm and trying to sleep, that it felt like it could explode. Two years on and my heartbeat is still too fast, with a pulse rate at rest closer to 100 (it had always been pretty low before, 60-ish) and it rockets it I just walk into the next room and still gets quite loud at times, like it thuds against my ribs with palpitations. Very bizarre.
Caz
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, that could be. BTW, I caught Covid two months earlier, after attending a funeral for a NYC lawyer. Rule #1 with docs: if you see a doc and the treatment isn’t effective, then find another doc. You really need a heart specialist for something like this. The danger of an excessively rapid heart rate is that the heart chambers never completely fill before the next beat, reducing the flow of oxygen to your other vital organs. Sounds contrary, but overbeating actually reduces blood flow. Have you had any light-headedness?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sorry you’ve caught it also. You’re right, I think there will be some doctors who aren’t fully informed on Covid (to the best that one can be informed on a virus they still don’t understand all that much), who aren’t on the ball or who don’t appreciate the different types of treatment. I hope you got what you needed, if you needed treatment.
My respiratory specialist found my blood oxygen a little low and blood carbon dioxide a little high. I have lung damage from chest infections, so assumed they were connected. I do get some lightheadedness, but with different health problems it’s hard to say what’s what. If Covid affects the heart and can cause such problems, I wonder what the prognosis is. Could the body repair the damage and return to normal function? It has been two years for me and I’ve still got issues with my heart, if Covid really was the cause (which it seems to me it is, otherwise it’s a strange coincidence with it simply never going fully back to normal after catching it).
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve read that there’s approximately 1500 pages of medical research published daily. Some docs make the effort to keep up and some don’t. That’s why second opinions are so vital. And sometimes third ones. I’m sorry you’re having these issues. If there’s any information you need, let me know and I’ll try to find it.
LikeLiked by 1 person