Post-Covid Conditions and their Effects on the Cardiovascular System.

Abstract

Background: Rising global concerns about COVID-19 recently gained more research attention due to the ease of person-to-person transmission, various symptoms after healing, and the shortage of effective antiviral therapy. The study aims to analyze post-COVID conditions and clinical manifestations of cardiovascular lesions in patients recovering from COVID-19 infection.

Methods: A practical examination of post-COVID conditions manifestation was conducted in a prospective cohort study, involving 250 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 between June 1, 2021, and August 31, 2021. The study specifically focused on analyzing the cardiovascular effects of COVID-19, utilizing data from a subgroup of 200 patients previously discharged from the hospital with elevated troponin levels. The cardiovascular variables assessed included tachycardia, ischemia, heart attack, myocarditis, hypertension, blood clots, and heart failure.

Results: It has been observed that among surviving patients, the following symptoms persisted: anosmia/ageusia (59%), severe dyspnea (36.7%), palpitations and complaints related to the cardiovascular sys-tem (15.8%), headaches (13.2%), arthralgia (11.7%), myalgia (9.8%), and hair problems (≥5%). By the 60th day, a reduction in symptoms by 5-10% was noted, and by the 90th day, a decrease in activity by 25-35% was observed. Patients aged 40-60 years exhibited the highest percentage of cardiovascular diseases (75%).

Conclusions: Consequently, the SARS-CoV-2 virus underscores the critical importance of cardiological attention in patient care. Cardiac screening results in individuals with COVID-19 reveal a significant prevalence of serious heart problems, affecting over half of the patients. This emphasizes the necessity for heightened vigilance and specialized cardiac care when managing patients with COVID-19.