Cardiac Involvement in COVID-19: A Matter Close to the Heart, Beyond the Acute Illness

Abstract

Human infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus and COVID-19 have been ravaging the entire world since December 2019. As of February 17, 2023, records from the World Health Organization point to more than 756 million confirmed cases and approximately 6,845,000 deaths. In Brazil, until this date, approximately 36,961,000 cases have been reported, with about 698,000 deaths. 1 Among the deaths, the main comorbidities reported are heart disease (40%), diabetes (28%), obesity (10%), neurological diseases (5%), kidney diseases (5%), and pneumopathies (5%). Furthermore, 70% of patients who died were 60 years old or older, and males were prevalent in 60% of the cases. 2

Registro Brasileiro de Cardiologia Intervencionista durante a Pandemia de COVID-19 (RBCI-COVID19)

“…Além disso, há necessidade de se minimizar as desigualdades na prestação de cuidados em saúde e maximizar o suporte social, pois o envolvimento cardíaco na COVID-19 continua a ser uma importante questão de saúde pública. 25 …”

“…Furthermore, minimizing the inequalities in healthcare provision and maximizing social support are necessary because cardiac involvement in COVID-19 continues to be a significant public health issue. 25 …”

O Impacto Clínico dos Sintomas Cardiovasculares na Síndrome Pós-Aguda de COVID-19

“…O envolvimento cardiopulmonar na COVID-19 continua a representar um grande desafio de saúde pública. 1 , 2…”