A new study has found that over three quarters of people who have recovered from coronavirus are left with heart damage. This affects patients even if they were healthy before contracting the virus and only exhibited mild symptoms.

The effects of COVID-19 on the heart

A new study by the Institute of Cardiovascular Imaging at Goethe University (Goethe CVI) in Frankfurt has found that 78 percent of people examined in the study exhibited inflammatory changes in the myocardium (heart muscle) and the pericardium (the sac that contains the heart). High levels of Troponin (a group of proteins that help regulate heart contractions) were also found in the blood of 71 percent of patients, indicating heart muscle damage that could be permanent in some cases. 

All of the patients in the study had previously recovered from coronavirus and had no previous symptoms of heart disease prior to being examined. Two-thirds of the patients either exhibited mild coronavirus symptoms and recovered at home or showed no symptoms at all, while only a third were treated in hospital.

Myocardial inflammation occurred to almost the same degree in those who recovered at home as those who were hospitalised. Patients were affected regardless of their previous health history or how healthy they were prior to contracting COVID-19. All of the patients involved in the study were aged between 45 and 53.

Pay attention to your heart

According to the researchers, anyone who has suffered from coronavirus should pay close attention to their heart and the effects the inflammation might have, particularly when exercising. Heart damage can lead to shortness of breath, prolonged exhaustion, inflammation around the body and even thrombosis. Pulmonologists also warn that coronavirus can cause long-term damage to the lungs.

As of yet, the researchers are unable to recommend treatments for possible heart problems sustained when suffering from coronavirus. In general, anyone who has recovered should consider exercising less intensely.