COVID-19 and Heart Health

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. While many people experience mild symptoms, others can become seriously ill. Older adults and people with underlying health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, chronic kidney disease and chronic lung disease, are at higher risk of severe illness.

COVID-19 can affect more than the lungs. Infection has been associated with cardiovascular complications including atrial fibrillation, myocarditis, and pericarditis. People with existing heart disease are especially vulnerable to these complications.

Fortunately, COVID-19 vaccination helps protect against severe illness, hospitalization and death and may reduce the risk of some COVID-related cardiovascular complications.

How is COVID-19 diagnosed?

COVID-19 is diagnosed using viral tests, including antigen tests and molecular (PCR) tests.

Because symptoms can resemble those of influenza, RSV and other respiratory illnesses, testing can help determine the cause of illness and guide treatment decisions.

If you have cardiovascular disease or risk factors and develop respiratory symptoms, it is important to contact your healthcare professional.

Are you at risk of severe COVID-19?

Certain groups face a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, including:

• Adults ages 65 and older
• People with cardiovascular disease, including coronary artery disease, heart failure and prior stroke
• People with diabetes
• People with obesity
• People with asthma or chronic lung disease
• People with chronic kidney disease
• People with weakened immune systems
• Pregnant individuals

These individuals are more likely to experience hospitalization, severe complications and death from COVID-19.

Which cardiovascular conditions can be worsened by COVID-19?

COVID-19 has been linked to several cardiovascular complications, including:

• Heart muscle inflammation (myocarditis)
• Inflammation of the lining around the heart (pericarditis)
• Atrial fibrillation (an irregular heartbeat) and other arrhythmias

People with existing cardiovascular disease are more likely to experience severe outcomes. Vaccination has been shown to reduce the risk of severe infection, hospitalization, death and several COVID-related cardiovascular complications.

COVID-19 infection has also been associated with myocarditis and pericarditis. While rare cases of myocarditis and pericarditis have been reported following COVID-19 vaccination, these conditions are more commonly associated with COVID-19 infection itself. Most people who develop vaccine-associated myocarditis recover with appropriate medical care and rest. CDC continues to recommend COVID-19 vaccination because the benefits outweigh the rare risk of these side effects.

How is COVID-19 spread?

COVID-19 spreads primarily through respiratory droplets and airborne particles released when an infected person breathes, talks, coughs or sneezes.

How can I avoid COVID-19?

Here are some simple steps you can take to stay healthy and reduce your risk of COVID-19:

• Stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccination.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes.
• Improve ventilation in indoor spaces when possible.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Consider wearing a mask in crowded indoor settings or when respiratory virus activity is high.

Who should get a COVID-19 vaccine?

The CDC recommends that everyone ages 6 months and older receive the current COVID-19 vaccine, with particular emphasis on people at higher risk for severe disease.

Vaccination is especially important for:

• Adults ages 65 and older
• People with cardiovascular disease
• People with diabetes, obesity or chronic lung disease
• People with weakened immune systems
• Residents of long-term care facilities
• Pregnant individuals
• People who have never received a COVID-19 vaccine

The American Heart Association and cardiovascular experts recommend COVID-19 vaccination as part of comprehensive cardiovascular care because it can help reduce the risk of severe infection, hospitalization, death, heart attack, stroke, atrial fibrillation and Long COVID-related complications.

COVID-19 vaccine recommendations may change over time as the virus evolves. Updated vaccines are designed to help protect against currently circulating strains, and protection from prior vaccination or infection can decrease over time. Staying up to date with CDC-recommended COVID-19 vaccines helps provide the best protection against severe illness and related complications.

Cases of myocarditis and pericarditis following COVID-19 vaccination are rare and have occurred most often in adolescent and young adult males. Most people recover fully with appropriate medical care and rest.

If you have heart disease, a history of stroke or other cardiovascular risk factors, talk with your healthcare professional about staying up to date with recommended COVID-19 vaccination. Vaccination is an important part of protecting both your respiratory and cardiovascular health. If you have questions about vaccine safety, including myocarditis, or what vaccination schedule is right for you, your healthcare professional can help you understand the risks and benefits based on your age, medical history and cardiovascular risk factors.

If vaccination is right for you, visit a local retail pharmacy or community health center in your area to learn about vaccine availability. Your healthcare professional may also be able to administer your vaccines.

Under federal law, most private health plans, HealthCare.gov marketplace plans, Medicare and Medicaid must cover recommended routine immunizations without charging a copayment or coinsurance. If you do not currently have health insurance, check with your state or local health department or local health center for immunization programs for uninsured individuals.