The Times Australia
The Times World News

.

How COVID affects the heart, according to a cardiologist

  • Written by Garry Jennings, Professor of Medicine, University of Sydney
How COVID affects the heart, according to a cardiologist

As the pandemic has progressed, researchers have begun to understand how COVID-19 impacts our bodies.

Early in the pandemic, risk factors such as heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes were quickly associated[1] with an increased risk of severe illness and death[2] from COVID.

We now know that, among the myriad ways it can damage our health, the virus can affect the heart and directly cause a range of heart complications[3].

Also, mRNA COVID vaccines like those from Pfizer and Moderna have been linked with heart inflammation. But this is very rare, and you’re much more likely to get heart inflammation from COVID infection than the vaccines.

Here’s what we know so far.

How does COVID affect the heart?

The SARS-CoV-2 virus can directly invade the body causing inflammation. This can impact the heart, causing myocarditis and pericarditis[4] — inflammation of the heart muscle or outer lining of the heart.

Inflammation from COVID can also cause[5] blood clotting, which can block a heart or brain artery causing a heart attack or stroke.

COVID can also cause abnormal heart rhythms, blood clots in the legs and lungs, and heart failure. Our understanding of how COVID causes heart inflammation and injury to the heart muscle[6] is becoming clearer, though there’s more to learn.

Persistent symptoms from the virus, called “long COVID[7]”, have been reported in about 10-30% of people who’ve contracted COVID.

One study[8] on long COVID, published in July, found common cardiovascular symptoms include heart palpitations, fast heart rate, slow heart rate, chest pain, visible bulging veins, and fainting.

Of roughly 3,700 study participants, over 90% reported their recovery lasted more than eight months.

Read more: The mystery of 'long COVID': up to 1 in 3 people who catch the virus suffer for months. Here's what we know so far[9]

The Delta variant, first identified in India in October 2020, is highly transmissible[10]. It’s the variant responsible for lockdowns in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland.

Although data is still emerging, it may cause more severe disease, and anecdotally may increase the chances of heart complications[11].

A Scottish study[12] found the risk of hospital admission from COVID was around double in those with Delta variant compared to the Alpha variant (which originated in the UK). It also found Delta was spreading most commonly in younger people.

The good news is two doses of either the Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccines remains effective[13] in preventing Delta complications.

COVID vaccines and the heart

Scientists have discovered a link between the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine and a rare blood clotting syndrome[14].

There’s also a link between mRNA COVID vaccines and a rare side effect of heart inflammation[15] (myocarditis and pericarditis). This seems to be most common in males under 30 and after the second vaccine dose.

Read more: The benefits of a COVID vaccine far outweigh the small risk of treatable heart inflammation[16]

But this is very rare. Of the 5.6 million Pfizer vaccine doses[17] administered to Australians so far, there have only been 111 cases[18] of suspected (not confirmed) heart inflammation reported up to August 1. There have been no reported deaths associated with this vaccine side effect in Australia.

Recovery from this heart inflammation is generally good. The benefits of vaccination against COVID far outweigh the potential risks of these generally mild conditions.

Nevertheless, if you experience any change in symptoms after having a COVID vaccine, including chest pain, an irregular heartbeat, fainting or shortness of breath, you should seek prompt medical attention.

The vast majority of people with heart conditions are safe to get vaccinated. But if you have had myocarditis or pericarditis in the past six months then speak with your doctor or cardiologist.

Don’t delay getting your heart checked

Many people have been reluctant to seek medical attention amid the pandemic. This includes for both urgent and routine care of heart disease. Longer delays between the onset of the symptoms and hospital treatment are being reported[19] in countries including England, Italy and China. This makes long-term heart damage more likely.

One study[20] found global hospital admissions for heart attacks have decreased between 40% and 50%. An Australian study[21] found a 21% reduction in cardiac surgery at Sydney’s Royal Prince Alfred Hospital between March and June 2020.

It’s important you don’t neglect your heart health even amid the pandemic. If you ever think you’re having a heart attack[22], call triple zero (000) immediately.

The author would like to thank the National Heart Foundation’s Amanda Buttery and Brooke Atkins for their help with this article.

References

  1. ^ quickly associated (www.ijidonline.com)
  2. ^ severe illness and death (jamanetwork.com)
  3. ^ heart complications (www.cochranelibrary.com)
  4. ^ causing myocarditis and pericarditis (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  5. ^ can also cause (www.cochranelibrary.com)
  6. ^ heart inflammation and injury to the heart muscle (www.jacc.org)
  7. ^ long COVID (theconversation.com)
  8. ^ One study (www.thelancet.com)
  9. ^ The mystery of 'long COVID': up to 1 in 3 people who catch the virus suffer for months. Here's what we know so far (theconversation.com)
  10. ^ highly transmissible (apps.who.int)
  11. ^ anecdotally may increase the chances of heart complications (www.abc.net.au)
  12. ^ Scottish study (www.thelancet.com)
  13. ^ remains effective (www.nejm.org)
  14. ^ a rare blood clotting syndrome (theconversation.com)
  15. ^ heart inflammation (jamanetwork.com)
  16. ^ The benefits of a COVID vaccine far outweigh the small risk of treatable heart inflammation (theconversation.com)
  17. ^ 5.6 million Pfizer vaccine doses (www.tga.gov.au)
  18. ^ 111 cases (www.tga.gov.au)
  19. ^ are being reported (academic.oup.com)
  20. ^ One study (academic.oup.com)
  21. ^ An Australian study (www.heartlungcirc.org)
  22. ^ having a heart attack (www.heartfoundation.org.au)

Read more https://theconversation.com/how-covid-affects-the-heart-according-to-a-cardiologist-165446

Times Magazine

Building an AI-First Culture in Your Company

AI isn't just something to think about anymore - it's becoming part of how we live and work, whether we like it or not. At the office, it definitely helps us move faster. But here's the thing: just using tools like ChatGPT or plugging AI into your wo...

Data Management Isn't Just About Tech—Here’s Why It’s a Human Problem Too

Photo by Kevin Kuby Manuel O. Diaz Jr.We live in a world drowning in data. Every click, swipe, medical scan, and financial transaction generates information, so much that managing it all has become one of the biggest challenges of our digital age. Bu...

Headless CMS in Digital Twins and 3D Product Experiences

Image by freepik As the metaverse becomes more advanced and accessible, it's clear that multiple sectors will use digital twins and 3D product experiences to visualize, connect, and streamline efforts better. A digital twin is a virtual replica of ...

The Decline of Hyper-Casual: How Mid-Core Mobile Games Took Over in 2025

In recent years, the mobile gaming landscape has undergone a significant transformation, with mid-core mobile games emerging as the dominant force in app stores by 2025. This shift is underpinned by changing user habits and evolving monetization tr...

Understanding ITIL 4 and PRINCE2 Project Management Synergy

Key Highlights ITIL 4 focuses on IT service management, emphasising continual improvement and value creation through modern digital transformation approaches. PRINCE2 project management supports systematic planning and execution of projects wit...

What AI Adoption Means for the Future of Workplace Risk Management

Image by freepik As industrial operations become more complex and fast-paced, the risks faced by workers and employers alike continue to grow. Traditional safety models—reliant on manual oversight, reactive investigations, and standardised checklist...

The Times Features

Is our mental health determined by where we live – or is it the other way round? New research sheds more light

Ever felt like where you live is having an impact on your mental health? Turns out, you’re not imagining things. Our new analysis[1] of eight years of data from the New Zeal...

Going Off the Beaten Path? Here's How to Power Up Without the Grid

There’s something incredibly freeing about heading off the beaten path. No traffic, no crowded campsites, no glowing screens in every direction — just you, the landscape, and the...

West HQ is bringing in a season of culinary celebration this July

Western Sydney’s leading entertainment and lifestyle precinct is bringing the fire this July and not just in the kitchen. From $29 lobster feasts and award-winning Asian banque...

What Endo Took and What It Gave Me

From pain to purpose: how one woman turned endometriosis into a movement After years of misdiagnosis, hormone chaos, and major surgery, Jo Barry was done being dismissed. What beg...

Why Parents Must Break the Silence on Money and Start Teaching Financial Skills at Home

Australia’s financial literacy rates are in decline, and our kids are paying the price. Certified Money Coach and Financial Educator Sandra McGuire, who has over 20 years’ exp...

Australia’s Grill’d Transforms Operations with Qlik

Boosting Burgers and Business Clean, connected data powers real-time insights, smarter staffing, and standout customer experiences Sydney, Australia, 14 July 2025 – Qlik®, a g...