How does Covid-19 cause damage to the heart and cardiovascular system? What kinds of problems do these individuals face and what problems could they face in the future?

The Covid-19 virus can infect cells all over the body resulting in inflammation, including organs such as the lungs. ACE2 (Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2) is a receptor that is used by the covid-19 virus to infect the cells using the spike protein. ACE2s are highly prevalent in the heart. Once people have had heart cells infected by the coronavirus, inflammation can occur in the heart cells and result in a myocardial injury (permeant damage to heart tissue). Individuals who have heart problems are more likely to get a more severe case of Covid-19. Thousands of patients have died from the virus directly due to cardiovascular inflammation and damage. Also, if the coronavirus infection gets severe it can damage the lungs and result in less oxygen going to other organs such as the heart, causing them to not work properly. Individuals who test positive for the virus are at a greater risk of getting a stroke or heart attack after recovering from Covid-19. This might make it harder for them to get health insurance and travel to other countries.     

The coronavirus can also affect the lining of blood vessels called the endothelium, which in healthy blood vessels allows some substances to move through them while blocking others. The endothelium also prevents blood clots and inflammation. Due to ACE2 receptors in the endothelium, the virus can bind to these cells and causes blood clotting and leaky blood vessels. This has lead do damage in the blood-brain barrier which prevents unwanted chemicals or substances from entering the brain and has led people to develop neurological problems. It has also lead to people developing rashes such as ‘covid toe’ due to poor circulation to that area of the body. 

References: 

Zheng, Ying-Ying, et al. “COVID-19 and the Cardiovascular System.” Nature News, Nature Publishing Group, 5 Mar. 2020, www.nature.com/articles/s41569-020-0360-5?fbclid=IwAR3TjvxiEtYQqNkpsPuEuuef94Gp2m4a89YFxubY2pw2FtOxsSpxGZ18Tml 

British Heart Foundation. How Does Coronavirus Affect Your Heart?, British Heart Foundation, 5 Oct. 2021, www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/news/coronavirus-and-your-health/what-does-coronavirus-do-to-your-body