Cardiovascular Disease Complicating COVID-19 in the Elderly.
Christopher DayaramaniJoshua De LeonAllison Bethanne ReissPublished in: Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) (2021)
SARS-CoV-2, a single-stranded RNA coronavirus, causes an illness known as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The highly transmissible virus gains entry into human cells primarily by the binding of its spike protein to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor, which is expressed not only in lung tissue but also in cardiac myocytes and the vascular endothelium. Cardiovascular complications are frequent in patients with COVID-19 and may be a result of viral-associated systemic and cardiac inflammation or may arise from a virus-induced hypercoagulable state. This prothrombotic state is marked by endothelial dysfunction and platelet activation in both macrovasculature and microvasculature. In patients with subclinical atherosclerosis, COVID-19 may incite atherosclerotic plaque disruption and coronary thrombosis. Hypertension and obesity are common comorbidities in COVID-19 patients that may significantly raise the risk of mortality. Sedentary behaviors, poor diet, and increased use of tobacco and alcohol, associated with prolonged stay-at-home restrictions, may promote thrombosis, while depressed mood due to social isolation can exacerbate poor self-care. Telehealth interventions via smartphone applications and other technologies that document nutrition and offer exercise programs and social connections can be used to mitigate some of the potential damage to heart health.
Keyphrases
- sars cov
- coronavirus disease
- physical activity
- respiratory syndrome coronavirus
- cardiovascular disease
- angiotensin converting enzyme
- healthcare
- mental health
- public health
- pulmonary embolism
- coronary artery disease
- oxidative stress
- binding protein
- weight loss
- angiotensin ii
- left ventricular
- blood pressure
- type diabetes
- cardiovascular events
- heart failure
- coronary artery
- metabolic syndrome
- risk factors
- nitric oxide
- sleep quality
- body mass index
- bipolar disorder
- nucleic acid
- health information
- atrial fibrillation
- small molecule
- skeletal muscle
- risk assessment
- drug induced
- health promotion
- cardiovascular risk factors
- dna binding
- depressive symptoms
- high fat diet induced
- climate change
- alcohol consumption