First studies reveal heart complications are linked to Covid-19. *
“Far too few Americans are aware of the importance of having a modest amount of critical illness insurance that could be the difference between covering health care costs, replacing lost income and avoiding health care bankruptcy.”
Jesse Slome, director of the American Association of Critical Illness Insurance
Covid and heart disease linked; July 29, 2020 Two German studies show abnormal heart imaging findings in recently recovered COVID-19 patients. Researchers also report cardiac infections in those who have died from their infections. The findings were published in JAMA Cardiology.
The first study involved 100 corona virus patients. Individuals were identified from the University Hospital Frankfurt COVID-19 Registry. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging revealed heart involvement in 78 patients and active cardiac inflammation in 60.
Most corona virus research has focused on short-term respiratory complications according to the researchers. They noted that in critically ill patients, mounting evidence suggests that COVID-19 has a significant impact on the cardiovascular system. Scientists reports the risk is worsening heart failure in patients with preexisting cardiac diseases. Seventy-eight corona virus patients showed various degrees of signs of heart damage. Biopsy of the heart muscle in patients with serious findings showed ongoing immune-mediated inflammation.
Second study finds cardiac infections
The second study conducted from April 8 to 18, involved the autopsies of 39 COVID-19 patients. Pathologists at the University Medical Center Hamburg identified evidence of the COVID-19–causing SARS-CoV-2 virus.
They reported that for 24 cadavers with heart infections, a cytokine response panel showed that expression of six pro-inflammatory genes was higher in the 16.
Both studies were relatively small. The researchers called for future research on the long-term complications of COVID-19 cardiac involvement.
Importance of critical illness planning – after age 45
“Every male and female should be concerned about the risk and financial consequences of heart disease,” says Jesse Slome, director of the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance. “The current pandemic adds to the risk and as a result people need to plan accordingly. Far too few Americans are aware of the importance of having a modest amount of critical illness insurance that could be the difference between covering health care costs, replacing lost income and avoiding health care bankruptcy. Covid and heart disease links are one more important reason to act in your 40s and 50s.”
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- Source: JAMA and JAMAnetwork
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