STATE TIMES NEWS KATRA: The second wave of COVID-19 put renewed focus on the health and well-being of heart patients. While millions of patients are recovering from COVID-19, the heart patients amongst them need to be extra careful. Dr Nikhil Mahajan, Chief Interventional Cardiologist, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital, Katra, strongly recommends all heart patients who tested positive with the virus to seek heart check-ups post-recovery to rule out or treat any side-effects that may have been caused by the virus. In severe cases or delayed diagnosis, poor heart health induced due to COVID-19 may cause Heart Failure in the future. Speaking on the impact of Covid-19 on heart patients, Dr Nikhil Mahajan says, “Heart patients are among the most vulnerable patient groups in the pandemic. Those patients who have tested positive need to be cautious as COVID-19 has been observed to cause severe symptoms and worse outcomes in heart patients or individuals with cardiovascular disease. They must undergo vital imaging tests and check-ups post-recovery to ensure timely treatment of any fatal side-effect or condition that may have worsened due to the coronavirus infection in their heart to help tackle fatalities like Heart Failure or Sudden Cardiac Arrest.” Heart Failure refers to the heart’s inability to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs and is often misunderstood by masses. It’s not a sudden occurrence but a serious medical condition with a misleading name. A heart in Heart Failure doesn’t suddenly stop working. Instead, Heart Failure develops slowly as the heart muscle gradually weakens over time. It has been observed that COVID-19 infection may cause severe inflammation in the body that can weaken heart muscles and set an abnormal behaviour in the heart rhythms (arrhythmia), which are some of the high-risk factors for developing Heart Failure. If not treated in time, it can be life-threatening. Advanced medical technologies and medical science has enabled better cardiac care and treatment for patients at risk of Heart Failure. For effective Heart Failure management, Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) devices like pacemakers and defibrillators help control abnormal heart rhythms. While a pacemaker uses electrical pulses to prompt the heart to beat at a normal rate, the defibrillator restores a normal heartbeat by sending an electric pulse or shock to the heart if the heart suddenly stops functioning. Elaborating on the risks of Heart Failure, Dr Mahajan adds, “Many times due to delayed diagnosis, the patient reaches the hospital when there has already been considerable damage to the heart muscles. A person with a weak or ailing heart can be vulnerable to the effects of fever, low oxygen levels, unstable blood pressures, and blood clotting disorders which are all possible outcomes of COVID-19. A thorough check-up post recovery will help the doctor to understand the extent of COVID-19 damage on the heart and start a suitable treatment plan for the patient.” Dr Mahajan also stresses on the importance of making health a top priority, especially now during the pandemic. “This is the time for everyone to pay attention to their heart health and over-all well-being. Since outdoor physical activity is limited, ensure some form of indoor exercise to keep yourself fit.
