Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 29, 2025
Optical Coherence Tomography Based Biomechanical Fluid-Structure Interaction Analysis of Coronary Atherosclerosis Progression
Published on: January 15, 2022
The Impact of COVID-19 on the Cardiovascular System
Roque Aras Júnior1,2, André Durães1,2, Leonardo Roever3
1Universidade Federal da Bahia, Faculdade de Medicina - Salvador (BA), Brazil.
Insights
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) impacts the heart, causing damage and increasing mortality risk, especially in older adults or those with pre-existing conditions like diabetes or hypertension.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes COVID-19, a global pandemic with significant cardiovascular implications.
- While primarily a respiratory illness, SARS-CoV-2 also affects multiple organs, including the heart, brain, liver, and kidneys.
- Cardiac complications are a major concern, contributing to increased mortality rates worldwide.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the impact of COVID-19 on the heart and cardiovascular system.
- To explore the association between COVID-19's cardiac effects and aging.
- To examine the link between COVID-19, cardiovascular complications, and pre-existing conditions like type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension.
Main Methods:
- This review synthesizes existing scientific evidence and literature.
- It focuses on the mechanisms of cardiac damage induced by SARS-CoV-2.
- The review analyzes the exacerbation of cardiovascular risks in vulnerable populations.
Main Results:
- SARS-CoV-2 can damage coronary arteries, leading to microvascular dysfunction and myocardial infarction.
- Pro-inflammatory cytokine surges can cause myocarditis, cardiac fibrosis, and arrhythmias.
- These cardiac issues significantly contribute to the overall mortality associated with COVID-19.
Conclusions:
- COVID-19 poses a substantial threat to cardiovascular health, extending beyond respiratory symptoms.
- The risk of severe cardiac complications and mortality is amplified in elderly individuals and those with comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension.
- Understanding these associations is crucial for managing COVID-19 patients and mitigating long-term cardiovascular sequelae.
Abstract:
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) induces coronavirus-19 disease (COVID-19), has affected many people in Brazil and worldwide. This disease predominantly affects the organs of the respiratory system, but it also damages the brain, liver, kidneys and especially the heart. In the heart, scientific evidence shows that this virus can damage the coronary arteries, generating microvascular dysfunction, favoring acute myocardial infarction. Furthermore, with the increased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, it can lead to myocarditis and cardiac fibrosis, inducing changes in the electrical conduction system of the heart, generating cardiac arrhythmias. All these factors mentioned are protagonists in promoting the increase in the mortality outcome. This outcome may be even higher if the individuals are elderly, or if they have other diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus or hypertension, because they may already have cardiomyopathy. In this context, this review focused on the impact that COVID-19 can have on the heart and cardiovascular system and the association of this impact with aging, type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiac arrhythmias and arterial hypertension.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
01:27Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
01:18Cardiovascular Drugs: Classification based on Therapeutic Indications
01:14Overview of the Cardiovascular System
Heart
The heart is the central pump of the cardiovascular system that circulates blood throughout the body. It comprises two atria receiving the blood and two ventricles pumping blood out of the heart. Their rhythmic contractions, called heartbeats, ensure that blood flow remains continuous.
Blood Vessels
Blood...
01:27Regulation of the Cardiovascular System
The regulation of the cardiovascular system involves the autonomic nervous system (ANS), baroreceptors, and chemoreceptors, ensuring that heart rate and blood pressure are appropriately modulated in response to varying physiological demands.
The ANS comprises two main divisions: the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The sympathetic nervous system enhances...
01:19Acute Coronary Syndrome II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations