Cardiology

The Cardiovascular Impact of COVID-19

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, caused by SARS-CoV-2, represents the best medical challenge in decades. While COVID-19 primarily affects the lungs, causing interstitial pneumonitis and severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), it also affects multiple organs, particularly the circulatory system. Mortality is increased by comorbidities: cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, chronic pulmonary disease, and cancer. The most common complications include arrhythmia, cardiac injury, fulminant myocarditis, coronary failure, embolism, and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).