A sharp increase in occurrences of heart-related issues has been seen in recovered COVID patients of aged 30-50 years. Experts have said that this is due to the long-term cardiac issues such as difficulty in breathing, chest pain, sudden onset of palpitation, heart attacks and heart failure.Heart patients are facing problems after COVID infection, owing to the increase in inflammation and tendencies of blood clotting. 

Dr Pramod Narkhede, Cardiologist, Apollo Clinic, Pune said that their cardiac status is worsening because of irregular follow up and ignorance towards cardiac issues. He explained that after getting infected with coronavirus infection, patients of the age group of 30-50 years face breathlessness because of pneumonia and lung infection and they miss out any cardiac problems that are masked by the cough and breathlessness. Post-Covid recovery, a marked increase in acute cardiac problems is seen in earlier healthy individuals too. The viral syndrome can range from the incidence of systemic hypertension, minor palpitation to severe life-threatening arrhythmias, heart attacks, heart failures, or acute pulmonary embolism, and other vascular events such as peripheral arterio-venous occlusion and stroke.

Dr Narkhede further explained for example, a 45-year-old COVID-19 patient, develops chest pain and shortness of breath. His ECG shows changes in his heart rate and he had stopped taking aspirin. His echocardiography shows compromised heart function. He is then taken up immediately for coronary intervention that reveals 100% thrombotic occlusion of one artery and 90% thrombotic stenosis of another major coronary artery. He undergoes angioplasty immediately on both the arteries and is stabilised in ICU after two days of the procedure. He is discharged with advice of regular follow-up. There are several patients like him who are having cardiac problems post-Covid. 

Doctors are recommending regular cardiac screening in the post-COVID phase to identify the onset of any new abnormality in the heart function. Immediately consult the doctor when you see signs such as light-headedness, dizziness, sudden palpitation, vomiting, hypertension, sweating, and shortness of breath or chest pain.

Dr Prerna Agarwal, technical operations, Apollo Diagnostics said that with early diagnosis and prompt treatment, these patients lead a good quality of life, thus decreasing morbidity and mortality. Eat a diet high in fibre and protein to take care of your heart. Eat fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, nuts, and pulses. Avoid spicy, processed, oily or junk food. Exercise every day, maintain an ideal weight, avoid alcohol and smoking.

Source: The Indian Express