COVID-19 and Heart Disease: What You Need to Know
Most people think of COVID-19 as a lung illness. But did you know it can also affect your heart? Dr. Nikhila Pachani, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist at Backbone Medicity Hospital, Rajkot, is raising awareness about this important and often overlooked connection.
How COVID-19 Affects the Heart
The COVID-19 virus can cause problems in the heart in several ways:
- Inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis): The virus can trigger the body's immune system to attack the heart, causing swelling and damage.
- Irregular heartbeats (arrhythmia): Some people notice their heart beating too fast, too slow, or in an uneven rhythm after a COVID infection.
- Heart failure: In more serious cases — especially in people who already have heart conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or coronary artery disease — COVID-19 can put extra strain on the heart and worsen existing problems.
Warning Signs to Watch For
These symptoms can appear during a COVID-19 infection or even weeks after recovery. Do not ignore them:
- Chest pain or tightness
- Extreme fatigue that doesn't go away with rest
- Shortness of breath during daily activities
- A racing, fluttering, or pounding heartbeat
- Swelling in the legs or ankles
These are your body's way of signalling that something may not be right. It is important to take them seriously and not wait.
Who Is at Higher Risk?
People who already have heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, or obesity need to be especially careful. However, even younger, previously healthy individuals have reported cardiac symptoms after COVID-19 — a condition sometimes called Long COVID or Post-COVID cardiac syndrome.
What Should You Do?
If you or a family member in Rajkot, Saurashtra, or anywhere in Gujarat experienced COVID-19 and are now noticing any of the symptoms above, do not dismiss them. Early evaluation by a cardiologist can help detect problems before they become serious.
Simple tests like an ECG, echocardiogram (echo), or blood tests can give your doctor a clear picture of how your heart is doing.
If you have any of these symptoms after a COVID-19 infection, please consult a qualified cardiologist promptly — or book a consultation with Dr. Nikhila Pachani at Backbone Medicity Hospital, Rajkot.