Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Mar 10, 2025 6 hours, 7 minutes ago
Medical News: A new study conducted by researchers from the Military Institute of Medicine-National Research Institute in Warsaw, Poland, has found that COVID-19 pneumonia can negatively impact heart function, even in patients without preexisting heart disease. The findings highlight how the virus affects cardiovascular hemodynamics, which refers to how blood flows through the heart and blood vessels. The study used impedance cardiography (ICG), a noninvasive method, to assess heart performance in patients recovering from COVID-19 pneumonia.
Polish Study Shows That COVID-19 Disrupts Heart Hemodynamics
COVID-19 is widely known for its effects on the lungs, but this
Medical News report highlights that it can also cause significant cardiovascular issues. This study aimed to compare heart function in hospitalized COVID-19 patients with that of a control group. The results suggest that even after recovery from pneumonia, patients may still experience cardiovascular complications.
Study Details and Research Methods
The study involved 30 hospitalized COVID-19 pneumonia patients, with an average age of 48 years. Their hemodynamic parameters were compared to those of a control group of 30 individuals matched by age, blood pressure, and body mass index (BMI). The control group consisted of individuals with no known cardiovascular disease.
Researchers used impedance cardiography to assess key cardiac function indicators such as heart rate (HR), stroke volume index (SI), cardiac index (CI), velocity index (VI), acceleration index (ACI), Heather index (HI), systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI), and thoracic fluid content (TFC). These parameters provide insight into how well the heart pumps blood and how the vascular system responds.
Key Findings of the Study
Patients with COVID-19 pneumonia showed significant changes in cardiovascular function compared to the control group:
-Higher Heart Rate (HR): COVID-19 patients had an average heart rate of 88 beats per minute (bpm), compared to 67 bpm in the control group (p < 0.0001).
-Increased Systemic Vascular Resistance Index (SVRI): This indicates that COVID-19 patients had increased resistance in their blood vessels, leading to higher blood pressure (p = 0.0003).
-Reduced Stroke Volume Index (SI): The amount of blood pumped per heartbeat was significantly lower in COVID-19 patients (p < 0.0001).
-Lower Velocity Index (VI) and Acceleration Index (ACI): These markers of cardiac performance were both significantly reduced in COVID-19 patients (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.004, respectively).
-Lower Heather Index (HI): This measure of cardiac contractility was also significantly lower in the COVID-19 group (p < 0.0001).
-Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF): Although LVEF was s
tatistically lower in COVID-19 patients, the values remained within the normal range (p < 0.0001).
Additionally, 37% of COVID-19 patients had abnormally low stroke volume index values (< 35 mL/m2), compared to only 3% in the control group. These findings suggest that COVID-19 pneumonia can cause lasting heart dysfunction, even after patients recover from their lung symptoms.
Understanding the Impact on the Cardiovascular System
The study suggests that COVID-19 affects the cardiovascular system through multiple mechanisms. The virus can directly damage heart muscle cells by binding to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a receptor found in heart tissue.
Additionally, the body's immune response to the virus triggers widespread inflammation, which can further damage the cardiovascular system. This inflammation may lead to increased blood clotting, high blood pressure, and even long-term heart failure.
Previous studies have shown that COVID-19 patients with elevated troponin levels - a marker of heart damage - face higher risks of complications. Some autopsy reports have also found signs of myocarditis (heart inflammation) in COVID-19 patients. While the exact prevalence of these conditions remains uncertain, the findings suggest that even patients who appear to recover may be at risk for long-term cardiovascular issues.
Why This Study Matters
This study highlights the importance of monitoring heart health in COVID-19 survivors, even in those who did not experience severe respiratory symptoms. Traditional heart function tests like echocardiography may not detect early signs of heart damage, but impedance cardiography could serve as an effective screening tool for identifying patients at risk of cardiovascular complications. The researchers suggest that patients recovering from COVID-19, especially those with persistent fatigue, shortness of breath, or high heart rates, should undergo further cardiac evaluation.
Conclusions
COVID-19 is not just a respiratory illness - it has far-reaching effects on the cardiovascular system. This study provides strong evidence that the virus can impair heart function even in relatively healthy individuals. The findings indicate that patients recovering from COVID-19 pneumonia should be monitored for potential heart complications. Impedance cardiography could be a useful tool for early detection of cardiovascular dysfunction, allowing doctors to provide timely interventions.
As research continues, long-term studies will be needed to understand how these cardiovascular changes progress over time and whether they contribute to chronic heart disease. The early identification of cardiac complications could help reduce long-term health risks in COVID-19 survivors.
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Clinical Medicine.
https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/14/6/1806
For the latest COVID-19 News, keep on logging to Thailand
Medical News.
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/a-new-discovery-on-how-the-sars-cov-2-virus-affects-the-heart
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/sars-cov-2-spike-protein-induces-the-formation-of-senescent-cells-particularly-in-heart-tissues
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/study-identifies-key-genes-in-covid-19-associated-heart-failure-with-two-critical-gene-pygm-and-blm-identified-as-potential-intervention-targets
https://www.thailandmedical.news/pages/thailand_doctors_listings
https://www.thailandmedical.news/pages/thailand_hospital_listings
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/hospital-news
Share
Tweet
Share
