COVID-19's Influence on Key Organs and Body Systems

COVID-19 affects more than just the respiratory system, impacting organs such as the brain and nervous system, heart and blood vessels, gastrointestinal system, and kidneys, according to an article published by the American Heart Association.

Most people with COVID-19 experience mild issues like fever, coughing, congestion, and shortness of breath. However, the coronavirus is capable of much more.

"We see people have symptoms from almost head to toe in terms of how they feel, how they function and what they can do," said Dr Adrian Hernandez, a cardiologist and director of the Duke Clinical Research Institute in Durham, North Carolina.

The start of the new year saw an increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations in the US, leading experts like Dr Hernandez to recommend caution, particularly for high-risk individuals.

Even mild COVID-19 cases can progress to long COVID, characterized by problems lasting weeks or months and over 200 symptoms linked to the condition. Despite the common belief that COVID-19 is primarily a lung disease, Dr Nisha Viswanathan, director of the long COVID program at UCLA, argues that it is more accurately described as a vascular and neurologic infection impacting both the nervous and cardiovascular systems.

COVID-19 can lead to strokes, cognitive impairment, worsening migraines, new neuropathy, and potentially unmask other neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson and Alzheimer's diseases. Although the virus doesn't seem to attack brain tissue directly, the heightened immune response can cause clots, leading to brain issues.

COVID-19 can increase the risk of myocarditis, atrial fibrillation, and dangerous clotting. A Nature Cardiovascular Research study indicates that the virus may infect coronary arteries and cause heart attacks by inflaming plaque buildup.

The virus may hide in the gastrointestinal tract, causing nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. This can lead to conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease and irritable bowel syndrome, even after the infection has resolved elsewhere.

Kidney problems are also a common post-COVID condition. However, it's uncertain whether these arise from dehydration during illness or the virus's ability to cause inflammation anywhere in the body.

Not everyone who gets COVID-19 will experience these symptoms, but those who do should consult their primary care physician or a specialized clinic. Preventative measures include wearing masks during surges, getting vaccinated, and controlling cardiovascular risk factors. Vaccinations are particularly stressed for those with existing health conditions to avoid additional complications.

Reference

Merschel M. Beyond breathing: How COVID-19 affects your heart, brain, and other organs. American Heart Association. Published January 16, 2024. Accessed January 29, 2024. https://www.heart.org/en/news/2024/01/16/how-covid-19-affects-your-heart-brain-and-other-organs