As if COVID-19 wasn’t bad enough experts have reported that COVID infections have put heart health at risk especially among younger people. We thought that the worst was over. It’s not.
According to a recently released study from L.A.’s Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars – Sinai Medical Center heart attack death rates for young people rose alarmingly during surges in the COVID-19 pandemic. Lead by Dr. Yee Hui, a Cedars -Sinai physician-scientist, the study is quite revealing.
WHO’S MOST AFFECTED?
The elder generation has the highest number of those most affected, however younger people ages 25 -44 had a higher death rate from heart attacks. The increase in that rate was actually 30% higher than what was expected.
WHY ARE YOUTH BEING AFFECTED MORE?
It’s a simple answer. Older people are more aware of their bodies and when they are not feeling right. They also know that they are at elevated risk for heart attacks, so a chest pain is as a sign to go to the hospital. Younger people tend not to seek medical attention. In addition, they restrict the pain to COVID rather than a residual effect from COVID. Another possibility to consider is that COVID can trigger inflammation and that can be more vigorous in young people, whose immune systems are more intact. The research to support that has yet to be proven.
HOW TO DISCERN COVID RELATED HEART ISSUES
Naturally, chest pains are a direct alarm to consider as heart related. Next, shortness of breath, dizziness or numbness in the jaw or left arm. If you have COVID and experience shortness of breath, no matter your age, go to the hospital. Go because these symptoms may indicate that you may have low oxygenation. The hospital can administer an EKG quickly to assess. The same action must be pursued if you have COVID and experience respiratory indicators like a cough, mild shortness of breath, headache, or suddenly experiences an acute onset of chest pain.
TAKEAWAYS
1. 164,096 heart attacks resulted in death in year one of the pandemic (a 14 % increase from the norm)
2. 2X People hospitalized for COVID had twice the rate of cardiovascular issues during the 12 months following infection as those with milder COVID
3. AN 8% increase in rates of heart attack believed to be caused by COVID
Visionary Kai EL´ Zabar has worked as CEO of arts organizations and as editor, writer and multimedia consultant accumulating a significant number of years in experience as an executive, journalist,publisher, public relations, media training, marketing, internal and external communications. Kai currently continues her life’s work as Editor-in-Chief Of Chicago News Weekly where she has resumed her column, “E NOTES.” She is ecstatic to be in the position to grace Chicago and the world with a publication that articulates the Black voice.