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Ultimately, scores of people are still at risk of serious infection and death from COVID-19.
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We have also confirmed over the past two years that COVID is far more than just a respiratory infection.
Of course, death isnt the only potential outcome of a severe COVID infection.
Heres what we know so far and what is yet to be discovered.
How can COVID-19 affect the cardiovascular system in the short term?
This can lead to myocarditis, the technical term for inflammation of the heart muscle.
Myocarditis related to COVID-19 vaccination is much rarer, though it is possible.
However, vaccine-induced myocarditis is usuallyless common and less seriousthan that due to COVID-19 infection.
Blood clots in the legs and the lungs are also very common.
This extensive clotting can make even trying to study the virus and treat patients difficult.
In other words, the patients were much likelier to have blood clots than they otherwise would be.
Thats compared to nearly 12% of non-ICU hospitalized patients in the study.
In both cases, these events led to an increased risk of death.
Some potential clotting outcomes includestroke, heart attacks, and damage to other organs, like the bowels.
Thats just extremely rare, Dr. Hoofnagle says.
While the patient survived, they did wind up needing a portion of their small intestine removed.
That case points to a worrisome trend with COVID-related cardiovascular issues.
How can COVID-19 affect the cardiovascular system after recovery?
But, in a smaller number of cases, recovery doesnt always mean someone is out of the woods.
Thats unfortunately true with cardiovascular issues as well.
Then theres a more recent study from early February 2022 published inNature.
In fact, overall, these cardiovascular complications are relatively rare.
How can you prevent cardiovascular complications from COVID-19?
Symptoms of myocarditis can include severe shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure, andheart palpitations.
If something weird happens, go see a doctor, Dr. Hoofnagle says.
Dont write it off.
