Showcasing a 13-fold increase in viral infectivity and being 3 times more infectious than the delta variant, omicron should not be taken lightly by patients suffering from heart ailments. Usually, the infection presents with fever, sore throat, cough, and cold-like symptoms more suggestive of a common cold or upper respiratory tract symptom lasting for 3 to 5 days and subsiding, but with a greater potential to affect those with heart ailments.

People who have recovered from COVID-19 should remain on guard for the sudden onset of symptoms such as shortness of breath or chest pain. These could be signs of acute heart attack caused by the viral infection.

Patients with existing heart diseases have around 11.6 times higher risk of mortality due to covid-19. The co-morbidity of diabetes and hypertension further raises the risk by up to 8 folds attributing to the lowered immunity and decreased speed of body response to tackle inflammation with increased age along with viral myocarditis to some extent. Research worldwide has shown that covid infection can manifest into cardiac ailments even after a year of contracting the virus.

It is seen that Covid tests have been found to be less sensitive in detecting the omicron variant and thus many patients despite typical covid symptoms may test negative leading to delayed diagnosis, more severe clinical disease, increased hospitalizations & mortality as well as greater risk of transmission.

“Common clinical presentations may be asymptomatic or mild illness such as fever, cough, sore throat, malaise, headache, muscle pain, backache, night sweats, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anosmia, or dysgeusia but without shortness of breath require only symptomatic treatment. While the red flags especially among the pre-existing heart patients to seek prompt medical attention includes, sudden onset of shortness of breath, angina, abnormal palpitation. However, patients with moderate to severe illness who have clinical symptoms or Chest x-ray or CT radiological evidence of lower respiratory tract disease with oxygen saturation (SpO2) ≤94% on room air with a markedly increased rate of breathing (tachypnea) are a red flag and such patients may progress to acute respiratory failure, septic shock, and/or multiple organ dysfunction” said Dr. Vinayak Agrawal, Director & Head, Non-Invasive Cardiology, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram.

Even though the current omicron covid variant may escape immunity provided by the vaccines, still vaccines have been shown to decrease severe disease, hospitalizations, and death. All eligible individuals must be vaccinated with 2 doses and a booster. If Covid is positive and illness continues beyond 5 days with worsening symptoms, any significant breathlessness, chest discomfort, extreme fatigue, low blood pressure, or high or very low pulse, then seek prompt medical consultation and visit emergency. Do not skip essential cardiac medications, especially blood thinners, anti-hypertensives, etc.

About the author- Dr. Vinayak Agrawal, Director & Head, Non-Invasive Cardiology, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram