Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 4, 2026

Visualization of Streptococcus pneumoniae within Cardiac Microlesions and Subsequent Cardiac Remodeling
Published on: April 7, 2015
Cardiac Manifestations of Viral Infections, Including COVID-19: A Review
Hillary Weisleder1, Eliana Jacobson1, William H Frishman2
1From the New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY.
Insights
Viral infections can cause various heart problems, including myocarditis and arrhythmias. Early diagnosis and management are key for these often self-limiting cardiac conditions.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Virology
- Pathophysiology
Background:
- Viral infections are increasingly recognized as a significant cause of cardiac pathology.
- Conditions range from acute myocarditis and pericarditis to dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmias.
- Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) presents unique challenges in understanding its cardiovascular effects.
Approach:
- Systematic literature review on the cardiovascular effects of diverse viral infections.
- Focused update on the pathophysiology of COVID-19 related cardiac manifestations.
- Analysis of clinical presentations and diagnostic considerations.
Key Points:
- Viral infections can manifest with a wide spectrum of cardiac pathology.
- Cardiac involvement in viral illnesses is often self-limiting.
- Variable clinical presentations necessitate high clinical suspicion for accurate diagnosis.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the link between viral infections and cardiac conditions is crucial.
- Optimal management relies on prompt diagnosis and tailored therapeutic strategies.
- Further research into COVID-19's cardiovascular pathophysiology is ongoing.
Abstract:
Viral infections have been linked to a variety of cardiac pathology, which may include acute myocarditis, dilated cardiomyopathy, heart failure, cardiogenic shock, pericarditis, acute coronary syndromes, and arrhythmias. We performed a systematic review of literature focusing on the cardiovascular effects of various viral infections, as well as providing an update on the current understanding of the pathophysiology of Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). Cardiac manifestations of viral illnesses are usually self-limiting, have variable clinical presentations, and require sufficient clinical suspicion for diagnosis and optimal management.
Related Concept Videos
Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis
Myocarditis I: Introduction
Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
Myocarditis III: Medical Management
Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Acute Coronary Syndrome II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations

