Myocarditis and COVID – Is there a Connection?
Posted by: Tampa Cardio
On: January 3, 2022
Covid-19, the Coronavirus has hit the world hard. A good chunk of the population has experienced COVID firsthand with more falling ill daily. This includes both those who are and are not vaccinated.
The symptoms seem to vary from person to person depending on age, other underlying health factors, and the state of their immune system at the time of contracting the virus. They can include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath and trouble breathing
- Feeling like you are under water
- Fatigue (extreme)
- Muscle and joint pain (extreme)
- Backache
- Loss of smell and or taste
- Brain fog
- Extreme exhaustion with even the smallest efforts
- Weird weak feeling in the lungs and heart
- Anxiety, fear, and depression
- Chills
- Congestion or runny nose
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Sore throat
All of these can be cared for at home and we recommend if you are ok – to stay home. It is better for you to heal and better for others to not be exposed. However, if you notice emergency signs such as:
- Trouble breathing
- Pain in your chest or pressure that will not go away
- Confusion
- Inability to wake up or stay awake
- Skin turning pale, gray, or blue
Get to the hospital immediately or call 911.
We are seeing high incidence of Myocarditis in COVID patients, especially those who have received the vaccines. Myocarditis is inflammation of the muscular lining of the heart.
With Myocarditis you may experience:
- The feeling that your heart is pounding or fluttering
- Chest pain
- Rapid breathing
- Fainting,
- Shortness of breath
- Fluid buildup in the ankles
- If you have had the COVID vaccine, this is most likely to occur as a side effect after the second dose (within 1 week) and is more likely if you are male.
- It may also occur naturally from COVID itself as it can be caused virally.
At this time, it is unclear which is the main source of the issue- the virus or a vaccine side effect.
- Treatment for Myocarditis depends on the severity of the case. There are a variety of medications available to help reduce the inflammation and increase the hearts’ ability to function properly. It is important if this develops to seek medical attention.
Myocarditis may resolve on its own, but in severe cases it can lead to complications such as:
- Heart failure
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Heart Arrhythmias
- Sudden Cardiac Death
If you have covid and are experiencing symptoms that could be Myocarditis talk with your doctor.
www.Tampacardio.com also offers tele-med visits via phone or computer if you do not currently have a cardiologist. We would be happy to talk with you and make recommendations for your health and peace of mind. 813-975-2800.
Posted by: Tampa Cardio
On: 03/01/2022