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Published on: November 10, 2023
COVID-19 and cardiovascular disease: a review of current knowledge
Aastha Pal1, Ashok Kumar Ahirwar2, Apurva Sakarde2
1All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India.
Insights
The novel coronavirus, which causes COVID-19, may infect individuals with cardiovascular diseases more easily due to ACE2 receptors. Blocking these receptors could worsen heart conditions, highlighting the complexity of COVID-19 complications.
Area of Science:
- * Infectious Diseases
- * Cardiology
- * Virology
Background:
- * The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the novel coronavirus, has led to global health challenges.
- * Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are identified as significant complications following respiratory issues in COVID-19 patients.
- * Individuals with CVD and older adults are noted to be more vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To explore the relationship between COVID-19 infection and cardiovascular complications.
- * To investigate the role of the Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor in SARS-CoV-2 entry and its implications for individuals with CVD.
- * To discuss the potential risks associated with using ACE2 inhibitors in the context of COVID-19 and cardiovascular health.
Main Methods:
- * Review of existing scientific literature and studies on COVID-19, cardiovascular diseases, and the ACE2 receptor.
- * Analysis of the mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 cell entry via ACE2.
- * Examination of the physiological role of ACE2 in the cardiovascular system.
Main Results:
- * The novel coronavirus utilizes the ACE2 receptor for cellular entry, which is highly expressed in individuals with cardiovascular complications.
- * ACE2 plays a protective role in the cardiovascular system, exhibiting anti-hypertrophic, anti-fibrotic, and anti-hypertensive effects.
- * Inhibition of ACE2, while potentially blocking viral entry, could compromise these protective cardiovascular functions, leading to adverse effects.
Conclusions:
- * COVID-19 poses significant risks to individuals with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions.
- * The interaction between SARS-CoV-2 and the ACE2 receptor presents a complex challenge, as blocking viral entry could negatively impact cardiovascular health.
- * Further research is needed to understand the intricate relationship between COVID-19 and CVD, and to guide therapeutic strategies. Public health measures like social distancing and testing remain crucial.
Abstract:
The uncontrolled spread of the COVID-19 pandemic which originated in China created a global turmoil. While the world is still busy figuring out a cure for the deadly disease, scientists worked out on many theories and conducted several studies to establish a relationship between the infection and other known diseases. Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are one of the major complications of this infection after the respiratory manifestations. Individuals with cardiovascular complication are said to be more susceptible to acquiring the infection because the novel coronavirus uses the ACE2 receptor for its entry inside the cell and there is a high level of ACE2 expression in individuals with cardiovascular complications because of the enzyme's anti-hypertrophic, anti-fibrotic and anti-hypertensive effects on the heart. Individuals who belong to the older age group are also more susceptible. Knowing the above information, it might seem that using ACE2 inhibitors would help to slow or prevent the entry of the novel coronavirus but it would also at the same time prove to have deleterious effects on the cardiovascular system as the protective functions of ACE2 would be lost. While the search for a cure still continues it has been stated many a times that the conditions might worsen with time and the only way to keep ourselves and our family safe would be to follow the appropriate social distancing methods and get a COVID test if we experience any of the major symptoms.
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