How COVID-19 affects people with heart disease

Heart disease encompasses a wide range of cardiovascular problems, including arrhythmia, cardiomyopathy, congenital heart defects, coronary heart disease, and so much more.

According to Pinoy MD experts, people who suffer from heart disease are at risk when faced by those who have contracted the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

“If meron kayong pre-existing chronic condition tulad ng high blood o sakit sa puso, ang isang epekto nito ay nawawalan ng regulasyon ang ating immune system,” warned Dr. Oyie Balburias, Pinoy MD's resident internist.

He added, “Ang isang epekto ng COVID-19 na nakita nila ay nagko-cause ng arrhythmia dahil nababawasan ang potassium level.

“Kapag bumaba ang potassium level sa ating katawan ay talagang magkakaroon ng arrhythmia o yung irregularidad sa tibok ng puso ninyo. Problema, 'pag nawala ang [tamang] rhythm ng puso natin meron tayong fatal arrhythmia. Kaya mas nakakatakot sa mga taong may sakit sa puso.”

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, people who have comorbidity or pre-existing diseases like cardiac disease, cancer, kidney disease, diabetes, and others are three times more at risk of COVID-19.

Furthermore, the World Health Organization found that 66.7% out of 163 patients who died of COVID-19 have comorbidities or having two or more medical conditions.

“Dati, 'pag may COVID, tinitingnan lang ang lungs,” told Dr. Erlyn Demerre, a cardiologist at the St. Luke's Medical Center, to Pinoy MD.

“Ngayon, nakikita na ang karaniwang na-a-admit sa ICU, lalo na 'yung critical cases, ay may underlying cardiovascular condition pala sila. So ang nakikitang presentation ng effect ng virus sa heart, iba-iba pero pareho lang ang naiisip naming pinanggalingan.”

Demerre added that while the effects of COVID-19 depends per patient, the risk depends on whether or not you have an underlying heart condition, so it's essential to protect oneself.

“Magdedepende lang 'yun kung mild, moderate, o severe ba ang dating ng virus sa'yo. Depende sa amount of virus na nakuha mo.

“Pero 'yung diperensya, nag-iiba 'pag 'yung puso mo natamaan. Puwede ka magka-heart failure. Kung matindi ang virus at mababa ang resistensya mo, kaya talagang magnified [ang effect].

“The best strategy pa rin is what is being taught by our government and the Department of Health (DOH). Whether you are a child, youth, or adult, you should always follow the protocols like washing your hands, avoiding crowds, to reduce your chance of catching the virus.”

Watch this episode of Pinoy MD below: