COVID-19 linked to heart attacks, heart failure and stroke, new research claims – treatments interfering with medications

Considerations for operators with residents managing existing cardiovascular conditions.

A new paper has pointed to coronavirus causing serious cardiovascular complications including heart failure, heart attacks and blood clots that can lead to strokes – and the treatments can interact with medicines used to manage patients’ existing cardiovascular conditions.

Researchers at the University of Virginia did the research to provide a guide for emergency medicine doctors looking after patients with COVID-19.

They found that almost a quarter of COVID-19 patients – 24% – were suffering acute heart failure when they were first diagnosed. Of these patients, almost 50% were not known to have high blood pressure or cardiovascular disease.

The paper also concludes that the severe inflammation caused by viruses including COVID-19 increases the risk that fatty plaque built up in the blood vessels will rupture, leading to heart attacks and stroke.

However, Remdesivir, an antiviral that is the only COVID-19 treatment authorised in the US, can interact with medications designed to regulate heart rhythm, causing low blood pressure and abnormal heart rhythm and exacerbating the [patient’s existing conditions.