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.


For Patients
About Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (CDC)
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public (WHO)
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (Texas DHHS)
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (CDC)
COVID-19, MERS & SARS (NIH Allergy & Infectious Diseases)
For Professionals
Key Questions on COVID-19 and Cardiovascular Disease (American College of Cardiology)
ACC Clinical Bulletin Focuses on Cardiac Implications of Coronavirus (COVID-19) (ACC News Story, Feb 13, 2020)
Resources to Aid Researchers and Clinicians 
COVID Updates (TMC)