COVID-19 in Heart Disease Patients: Higher Risk of Fatal Complications

     Heart disease has been the leading cause of death worldwide for many years, including in Thailand, with mortality rates continuously increasing each year. Recent statistics from the Ministry of Public Health show that over 400,000 Thais suffer from cardiovascular disease annually, with more than 20,000 deaths per year, averaging 2 people every hour.

In Cases of Heart Disease Patients Infected with COVID-19

If heart disease patients are also infected with COVID-19, they are more likely to require hospitalization compared to general patients. Statistics show that up to 13% of COVID-19 deaths occur in patients with underlying heart disease. Additionally, cardiovascular conditions can flare up during a COVID-19 infection, leading to:

• An increase in heart failure cases by about 20%
• An increase in coronary artery stenosis by about 10%
• An increase in cardiac arrhythmias by about 10%

Mechanisms of Heart Disease Following COVID-19 Infection

When heart patients contract COVID-19, direct mechanisms leading to heart disease are triggered, which are believed to result from:

• The stimulation of the body's immune system against the heart muscle
• Direct damage to the heart muscle caused by the viral invasion of heart tissue

When severe infection occurs, the pulmonary, respiratory, and overall circulatory systems are affected, indirectly leading to severe heart flare-ups or acute heart failure, which can be fatal.

Cardiologists also warn that individuals with heart and vascular diseases, or related vascular conditions, must take extra precautions. Heart disease is found in 15% of infected patients, high blood pressure is present as a comorbidity in 20-30%, diabetes in 10-15%, and ischemic stroke in 5%.

Preventing Infection in Heart Disease Patients

Therefore, it is crucial for heart disease patients to take strict precautions to prevent infection, being far more vigilant than the general public. Doctors recommend the following:

• Follow standard procedures to prevent COVID-19 infection: Wash hands regularly, wear a mask, practice social distancing, and separate personal belongings, which is the top priority.
• If experiencing a fever or respiratory symptoms: Such as coughing, runny nose, or sore throat, seek medical attention immediately to evaluate infection and severity. Disclose all medical information to the doctor for proper treatment and medication assessment.
• Take regular medications continuously: Do not change or discontinue medications on your own without medical advice.
• Certain medications used in COVID-19 treatment: May affect the heart, so doctors need to carefully evaluate suitable medications if infected with COVID-19.
• Consider getting vaccinated against COVID-19: As appropriate based on medical evaluation.

Treatment for Heart Disease Patients with COVID-19

     Doctors will focus strictly on managing preexisting conditions to reach target treatment goals. This is vital because contracting COVID-19 can cause cardiac complications in patients with heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia, potentially increasing hospital stays and the risk of mortality compared to the general population.

Read more:  Heart Disease and COVID-19: The Dangers for Heart Patients Contracting COVID

Attending scheduled doctor appointments is crucial for monitoring treatment. Taking prescribed medications and strictly following medical advice will help keep the condition well-controlled.