Question:

How does the coronavirus (Covid) affect my heart?

Can COVID-19 cause me to have heart issues, such as heart attack or arrhythmias?

Answer:

by Alex Postalian, MD

The virus that causes COVID-19 can affect your heart either by invading your heart cells or by over-activating your immune system, resulting in inflammation and injury. Most patients do not have any significant damage to their hearts after a bout with COVID. However, it is possible for a person who has a severe infection to develop cardiac complications, such as myocardial infarction (heart attack) or severe heart failure requiring advanced therapy.