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		Search Text: Home/< Back ToNHLBI Information & Resources on COVID-19/COVID-19 and the Heart
  Covid-19 and the Heart
        
                          Last updated December 28, 2022
COVID-19 and the Heart
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  How does COVID-19 affect the heart?

            SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, most commonly affects the lungs but It can also lead to serious heart problems.

Lung damagecaused by the virus prevents oxygen from reaching the heart muscle, which in turn damages the heart tissue and prevents it from getting oxygen to other tissues.



In addition, the body responds to the virus by creating inflammation, which is usually a appropriate reaction when it is fighting a virus. In some people with COVID-19, however, the inflammation seems to go into overdrive. Too much inflammation may further damage the heart or disrupt the electrical signals that help it to beat properly, which can reduce its pumping ability or lead to abnormal heart rhythms, called arrhythmia, or make an existing arrhythmia worse.

In children and teens, a high level of inflammation is called multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), and it can particularly affect the heart.

The virus may also affect heart cells. Researchers are working to understand if and how much this contributes to the heart damage seen in people with COVID-19. Some people who are seriously ill with COVID-19 form many small blood clots throughout the body including in the heart, which can also cause damage. Researchers think that too much inflammation may be causing the clots to form.
What health conditions may affect how COVID-19 affects the heart?

            Some chronic health conditions may affect how COVID-19 affects your heart. These include:

Cardiomyopathy
	Coronary artery disease
	Diabetes
	Heart failure
	High blood pressure
	Obesity
	Stroke
	VasculitisVisitCDC’s page on higher risk groupsfor more information on existing medical conditions and COVID-19.
What is the NHLBI doing to support research on how COVID-19 affects the heart?

            NHLBI-funded research has helped us understand howinflammation and infectionare affecting the heart.

COVID-19 vaccine for children after MIS-C appears safe
	Researchers study links between COVID and POTS
	NIH-funded study shows blood pressure levels rose during pandemic
	Q&A with NHLBI’s Jerome Fleg, M.D.: COVID-19, Vaccines, and Myocarditis
	COVID-19 found to raise blood pressure among Americans
	NHLBI’s Strong Heart Study and American Indian communities team up to fight COVID-19
	COVID-19 and the heart: A bounty of questions
	Virus that causes COVID-19 might directly infect heart cells
	Arterial wall cells offer insight into coronavirus’ rampage from head to toe
	Potential cause behind blood clotting in COVID-19 patients uncoveredThe NHLBI also supports new research, including clinical trials that are focused on identifying those at highest risk and developing treatments for people infected with SARS-CoV-2.

Study: COVID-19 pandemic increased health inequities among people with high blood pressure
	Study identifies indicators for COVID-19 complications among adults with congenital heart disease
	Study reveals high fatality rate among COVID-infected heart transplant recipients
	Special test detects who’s at risk for life-threatening blood clots from COVID-19
	NIH ACTIV initiative launches adaptive clinical trials of blood clotting treatments for COVID-19
      
See all COVID-19 clinical studies
What can I do to keep myself and others safe?

            COVID-19 Clinical Trials

This searchable database shows federally and privately supported clinical trials studying COVID-19 in the United States and around the world.
      
                                                                                                                            Find COVID-19 Clinical Trials

  Join a RECOVER Clinical Trial

RECOVER is a research project that aims to learn about the long-term health effects of COVID. They need to learn how COVID affects all people, including adults, pregnant people, and children.You can participate whether you have COVID now, had COVID before, or never had COVID.
      
                                                                                                                            Find RECOVER study sites
Getting a COVID-19 vaccine can protect you from COVID-19. Wearing a mask indoors, washing your hands often, and staying at least 6 feet from other people can also help protect you and prevent possibly spreading the virus to others. The CDC provides up-to-date information on how to protect yourself and others.

			In addition, consider:

			Volunteer for avaccine or treatment clinical trial
				See allCOVID-19 clinical studiesBe sure to check these additional COVID-19 information sources from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:

			COVID 19 information from NIH
				COVID 19 information from CDC Back To Top Link
  

        

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