Permanent Effect of SARS-CoV-2 on the Heart, Post Recovery

Abstract

COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Since December 2019, when the initial outbreak of COVID-19 occurred in China, a series of effective preventive control and medical treatment measures have been implemented, and have brought the pandemic under control to a certain extent. Most people infected with the virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. However, some will become seriously ill and require medical attention. A growing number of studies suggest many COVID-19 survivors experience some type of heart damage, even if they didn't have underlying heart disease and weren't sick enough to be hospitalized. Recent statistics estimate there being around 523.2 million cases of cardiovascular disease in the world, which represents the large population that this side effect or aftereffect potentially encompasses. According to research, there are structural changes in that take place when COVID enters a person’s body. In this case, the effect on the heart is relatively unknown or unproven. However, scientists and doctors have reported a couple of observations. First, the weight of the heart increased slightly after patients recovered from COVID. Second, Signs of cardiac enlargement and right ventricular dilatation were also noted. Under microscopic attention, scattered individual cardiomyocyte necrosis was visible as well. This paper will outline specific effects of COVID on the heart.