Understanding the potential long-term impacts of COVID-19
August 31, 2023Categories: Infectious Diseases, COVID-19 What You Need To Know
Long-term physical effects of COVID-19
Each organ is made up of cells with specific duties and functions. All viruses, including the COVID-19 virus, affect the cells in many parts of the body. Viruses may modify the normal function of those cells and affect overall organ function causing long-term effects.
COVID-19 and heart health
In the long-term, COVID-19 can cause weakening of the heart muscle. It also can affect the electrical function of the heart cells resulting in abnormal electrocardiograms (EKGs), heart arrythmia or, in some cases, even prompt heart attacks.
Sudden cardiac arrest, often due to ventricular fibrillation, was reported to increase dramatically during the pandemic. This is because the virus can affect clotting in the blood which may lead to stroke or pulmonary embolism, a blood clot traveling to the lungs.
How to spot the early symptoms of a heart attack
Long COVID symptoms
While mild or moderate COVID-19 lasts around two weeks, some people may experience lingering symptoms even if you are no longer testing positive for the illness.
- Tiredness or fatigue interfering with daily life
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Fast-beating or pounding heart
- Difficulty thinking or concentrating (sometimes referred to as “brain fog”)
- Change in smell or taste
How will Long COVID impact people?
It is challenging for us to truly forecast future health issues for you, especially when it comes to COVID-19. Patients and families rightfully want to hear about prognosis, but due to lack of long-term data, we cannot accurately predict the future for many symptoms post COVID-19. Fortunately, the medical community is continuing to collect and report data to benefit physicians treating post COVID-19 patients and their families.
