Category: <span>Coronavirus</span>

How does SARS Covid-19 affect the health heart?

The damage that the coronavirus can produce in the heart is not only through thrombotic phenomena, but it also produces direct damage, affecting both the arteries (it would condition acute myocardial infarction) and the heart muscle (arrhythmias or heart failure).

Of all patients infected by Coronavirus, 40% are asymptomatic compared to 60% symptomatic (28% of these require admission to intensive care areas) and many of them die, especially patients with previous pathologies or the elderly. 

The main symptoms of SARS-CoV2 are fever, cough, and shortness of breath, and other less common symptoms. Cardiovascular diseases such as heart failure or arrhythmias are the most common comorbidity in patients affected by Covid-19. They are present in all phases of the disease and condition mortality.

Clotting, thrombus formation, and heart failure

The pathophysiological mechanism by which the virus affects the cardiovascular system is not fully established, but it has been described that the virus generates altered coagulation, which conditions the formation of thrombi, with platelet aggregation, causing an increase in stroke, infarction myocardial or peripheral thrombosis.

The virus also causes direct damage affecting the arteries and the heart muscle, increasing the possibility of acute myocardial infarction, arrhythmias, or heart failure, even in patients without previous heart disease. Heart attacks are not as common as strokes, but they have been shown to kill five times more than SARS-CoV2 patients.

For this reason, patients affected by the virus in advanced stages or at increased risk of thrombosis should be anticoagulated to prevent complications. Whereas, patients with previous heart failure have a higher risk of being admitted to the intensive care unit and require greater care.

Patients with previous pathologies

It has been seen that patients with previous cardiovascular disease (arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or previous heart disease) and patients with obesity have a worse prognosis.

And it has been described that among patients admitted with Coronavirus, the percentage of patients with a cardiovascular history reaches up to 40%, including cardiovascular disease (15%), hypertension (15%), and diabetes (20%).

Also, age older than 60 years, male sex, and the presence of comorbidities are the main factors associated with the severity of the SARS-CoV2 condition and mortality.

Medium and long-term cardiac consequences

The effect of Covid-19 in the acute phase of the disease has been studied, but its effect in the medium-long term is unknown. Cardiac MRI studies have been performed after the acute phase, and involvement of the cardiac muscle with decreased left ventricular function has been described above all, which could lead to long-term cardiac complications.

Also, it has recently been described that patients with mild infection in the acute phase, at three months of follow-up may present multiorgan involvement, which highlights the importance of close follow-up in patients.

Everything described, associated with the great impact that the pandemic has had on the health system, indicates the need for continued investigation of the long-term cardiovascular consequences of the Coronavirus and the different consequences that it can leave.

What you should know…

  • After 10 days of the disease, an inflammatory response predominates, affecting various organs, including the cardiovascular system.
  • It has been seen that patients with previous cardiovascular disease (arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or previous heart disease) and patients with obesity have a worse prognosis.

 

corona myths

9 Myths about the Coronavirus that you should not believe

The World Health Organization (WHO) rejects false ‘advice’ that has circulated as alleged ways to prevent the spread of the disease

Myths debunked by the WHO:

1) Can washing my nose regularly with saline can help prevent new coronavirus infections?
There is no evidence that regular washing of the nose with saline has protected people from infection with the new coronavirus.

2) Can eating garlic help prevent coronavirus infections?
Garlic is a healthy food that may have some macrobiotic properties, but there is no evidence that eating it has protected people from the new coronavirus.

3) Do pneumonia vaccines protect against coronavirus?
No. Pneumonia vaccines do not provide protection against the coronavirus. The virus is new and different. You need your own vaccine.

4) Is it safe to receive a letter or package from China?
Yes, it is safe. People receiving packages from China are at no risk of contracting the virus. Based on previous analyzes, we know that the coronavirus does not survive long on objects such as letters or packages.

5) Does putting or eating sesame oil block the entry of coronavirus into the body?
No. Sesame oil is delicious, but it doesn’t kill the virus.

6) Can domestic pets spread the new coronavirus?
So far there is no evidence that companion animals/pets such as cats or dogs can become infected with the virus. However, it is a good idea to wash your hands with soap and water after having contact with pets.

7) Does the new coronavirus affect older people, or are young people also susceptible?
People of all ages can be infected by the virus.

Seniors and those with pre-existing medical conditions appear to be more vulnerable to becoming seriously ill from the virus.

8) Are antibiotics effective in preventing and treating the new coronavirus?
No, antibiotics don’t work against viruses, only against bacteria. Antibiotics should not be used as a form of prevention or treatment of the coronavirus.

9. Is there a specific medicine to prevent or treat the new coronavirus?
To date, there is no recommended medicine to prevent or treat the virus. WHO is helping to accelerate research and development efforts with a number of colleagues.

Coronavirus: Important Facts and Myths

What is Coronavirus

The Coronavirus identified in Wuhan, China, for the first time in late 2019 is a new viral strain that has never previously been identified in humans. It has been called SARS-CoV-2 and the respiratory disease that causes Covid-19.

What are the symptoms?

Like other respiratory diseases, the new coronavirus can cause mild symptoms such as a cold, sore throat, cough, and fever, or more severe symptoms such as pneumonia and breathing difficulties.

What to do in case of symptoms

Those who experience flu symptoms or respiratory problems must not go to the emergency room but must call 011-22307145 (Delhi Helpline Number) who will evaluate each situation and explain what to do. For general information call +91-11-23978046, the public utility number activated by the Ministry of Health.

Does the new coronavirus only affect older people or even younger people?

The people most susceptible to severe forms are the elderly and those with chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.

Here are some useful Tips to Prevent from Covid19

  1. Wash your hands often
  • Hand washing and disinfection are decisive for preventing infection.
  • Hands should be washed with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  • If no soap and water are available, a 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer can also be used.
  • Washing your hands eliminates the virus.
  1. Avoid close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections

Keep at least one meter away from other people, especially when they cough or sneeze or have a fever because the virus is contained in saliva droplets and can be transmitted at close range.

  1. Do not touch your eyes, nose, and mouth with your hands
  • The virus is mainly transmitted by the respiratory tract, but it can also enter the body through the eyes, nose, and mouth, therefore avoid touching them with unwashed hands.
  • In fact, your hands can come into contact with surfaces contaminated by the virus and transmit it to your body. 
  1. Cover your mouth and nose if you sneeze or cough

If you have an acute respiratory infection, avoid close contact with other people, cough inside the elbow or a handkerchief, preferably disposable, wear a mask and wash your hands. If you cover your mouth with your hands you could contaminate objects or people you come into contact with.

  1. Do not take antiviral drugs or antibiotics unless prescribed by your doctor

At present, there is no scientific evidence that the use of antiviral drugs prevents new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Antibiotics don’t work against viruses, but only against bacteria. SARS-CoV-2 is, in fact, a virus and therefore antibiotics are not used as a means of prevention or treatment unless bacterial co-infections occur.

  1. Clean the surfaces with chlorine or alcohol-based disinfectants

Chemical disinfectants that can kill new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) on surfaces include bleach / chlorine-based disinfectants, solvents, 75% ethanol, peracetic acid, and chloroform.

Your doctor and pharmacist will be able to advise you.

  1. Use the mask only if you suspect you are ill or assist sick people
  • The World Health Organization recommends wearing a mask only if you suspect you have contracted the new coronavirus, and are experiencing symptoms such as coughing or sneezing, or if you are caring for a person with suspected new coronavirus infection (recent trip to China and symptoms respiratory).
  • Use of the mask
  • Helps to limit the spread of the virus, but must be adopted in addition to other hygiene measures such as careful hand washing for at least 20 seconds.
  • It is not useful to wear multiple overlapping masks.
  1. MADE IN CHINA products and parcels received from China are not dangerous

The World Health Organization has stated that people who receive parcels from China are not at risk of contracting the new coronavirus because it is unable to survive on surfaces for long. To date, we have no evidence that objects produced in China or elsewhere, can transmit the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2).

  1. Pets do not spread the new coronavirus

At the moment, there is no evidence that pets such as dogs and cats can be infected with the virus.

However, it is always good to wash your hands with soap and water after contact with pets.

  1. Call Central Helpline Number for corona-virus: – +91-11-23978046

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