COVID-19 can change how the heart beats: study

By Stephen Beech via SWNS

COVID-19 can even change how the heart beats - raising the risk of potentially fatal cardiac arrest, reveals new research.

A new study from Columbia University shows that the virus can cause life-threatening issues by triggering changes in calcium channels that affect how the heart beats.

COVID-19 infections can also trigger inflammation and other heart issues, say scientists.

Previous studies suggest that people with COVID-19 are 55 percent more likely to suffer a major adverse cardiovascular event such as a potentially fatal heart attack or stroke than those who don't have the virus.

They’re also more likely to suffer other heart issues including inflammation of the heart muscle, known as myocarditis.

The team of cardiologists observed increases in oxidative stress - harmful production of unstable molecules - and signals of inflammation, as well as changes in calcium in heart tissue from patients who had COVID-19.

They also detected adverse changes to a protein called RyR2, that is responsible for regulating the heart’s calcium ion levels.

The research team explained that the heart muscle, like all muscle cells, needs calcium ions to contract.

They said that the heart’s system for managing calcium ions is "essential" for the coordinated contractions of the atria and ventricles that pump blood throughout the body.

But when calcium in the heart becomes dysregulated, it can cause arrhythmias or even heart failure.

To study changes to the heart further, they used a mouse model infected with COVID-19.

The team observed changes to the heart tissue including immune cell infiltration, collagen deposition indicative of injury, death of heart cells, and blood clots.

They also measured changes to the heart proteome - the proteins expressed by the heart cells - and found patterns consistent with changes observed in human hearts infected with COVID-19.

The researchers also discovered markers of cardiomyopathy, which can make it harder for the heart to pump blood to the body and can lead to heart failure.

Study leader Professor Andrew Marks, of Columbia University, said: “The more awareness you build around particular aspects of a disease, the more likely you are to improve the care of patients.

"And doctors should be aware of heart changes related to COVID-19 infections and should be looking for them."

He said understanding changes at the molecular level may uncover drug targets that could improve cardiac symptoms related to COVID-19 and help healthcare professionals diagnose and treat the issues more effectively.

Prof Marks says that understanding the cardiac complications of COVID-19 can also help public health officials make more informed decisions about how to respond to the pandemic, especially in advising those at higher risk of heart problems.

He added: "We want to really figure out what's causing the heart disease and how to fix it."

Dr. Steven Reiken, a research scientist in Prof Marks’ lab, will present the findings at the Biophysical Society's annual meeting in San Diego, California, on Monday (Feb 20, 2023).