The Importance of a Cardiovascular Exam Post COVID as well as Post COVID Vaccination

Posted by: Tampa Cardio

On: May 14, 2021

covid flu coronavirus vaccine mrna

If you have tested positive for COVID and experienced flu like symptoms it is important to know that Sars-COVID-19 can have lingering effects on the heart. Making sure to stay hydrated and balanced in your electrolytes is key to a good outcome.

You may experience rapid a heartbeat or palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, light headedness, or chest discomfort as severe cases of COVID-19 can cause infection in the inner surface of veins and arteries which can cause blood vessel inflammation. It may also lead to small blood clots and even damage to smaller vessels.

COVID-19 can damage heart muscle as well as function.

Heart damage is due to high levels of inflammation. As the body fights off the virus with the immune system the inflammatory process can damage some healthy tissue, the heart included.

Lingering symptoms may occur after you have recovered and overall feel better.

Is a Heart Attack More Likely when dealing with COVID?

While the answer is no for type 1 heart attacks, type 2 is more common in those who have tested positive for the Coronavirus. Test subjects show that there is an elevated risk for those with severe cases of covid during the infection itself. Reason being that blood tests show during the infection an elevation in troponin. This signals heart damage from a heart attack. During acute COVID-19, elevated troponin levels and an abnormal EKG are linked to a raised mortality rate.

While Children Have a Far Easier Healing Journey, they are Not Without Risk

Generally, most children who contract this infection will not have issues as serious as an adult.  There is a rare complication called MIS-C (Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome in Children). It can cause heart damage, cardiogenic shock, and even death. Those surviving MIS-C can be left with an abnormal heart rhythm and stiffer heart muscle.

When to Call Seek Emergency Attention

SHORTNESS OF BREATH

  • Oxygen saturation reading under 92%
  • Sudden onset
  • Bluish lips or face

(for all of the above, call 911 ASAP)

IF SHORTNESS OF BREATH ACCOMPANIES:

  • Lying down
  • Worse on exertion
  • Fatigue and ankle swelling

(call your doctor ASAP)

CHEST PAIN

  • Chest Pain is Severe
  • Nausea, Shortness of breath, sweating, dizzy
  • Chest Pain with shortness of breath

(Call 911 for all of the above)

  • If Chest Pain Accompanies:
  • Persistent non severe pain
  • Increasing in frequency
  • New Chest pain that resolves itself in 15 minutes or under
  • New exertional chest pain better with rest

(See your doctor ASAP)

If symptoms aren’t severe its ok to check with your family doctor, but if you feel like something may be wrong don’t wait and waste time. See your cardiologist right way. Of course, if you are in severe pain, head immediately to the ER.

The same advice goes for the COVID-19 Vaccine Injections

While many people have no adverse reaction these MRNA Vaccines have not been time proven or tested for the long haul. It is important to tune in and really listen to your body. Rest after each shot, drink lots of water, use warm and hot compresses on the injection site to reduce inflammation.

Get some sunshine to help your body create Vitamin D and boost your immune system. Eat whole real non processed foods, eat lean grass-fed meats when possible, and move daily even if its just a walk around the block.

Side effects are just now really being seen and discovered. Medical attention is important not just for your own care but to help establish a worldwide and countrywide base line for what others may experience and expect.

It is interesting to note that some of the same elevated risk factors come into play for the seasonal flu as well. The flu can make a cholesterol filled plaque vulnerable to rupturing from a blood clot causing heart attack or even death.

No matter what your health needs when it comes to cardiovascular care, we are a top rated provider in the Tampa Bay area and would love to see you in our office to make sure your heart is as healthy as possible.

Give us a call at 813-975-2800 or visit www.tampacardio.com to learn more.

 

Posted by: Tampa Cardio

On: 14/05/2021

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