COVID-19: Don't ignore exhaustion, chest pain, say experts

Lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome had taken centrestage as the most dreaded complications of COVID19 However with time more issues have begun to be discovered Heart damage has now emerged as another grim outcome in the viruss repertoire of possible complicationsCardiology experts say people should not ignore chest pain or exhaustion even if there is no fever The suggestion was put forth during a discussion on Heart Wellness during Covid19 hosted by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry ASSOCHAM in their Illness to Wellness series on FridayExperts are of the opinion that people should be on the lookout for symptoms other than fever for early detection of COVID19Dr Mohsin Wali cardiologist and former physician to president of India said that the most harmful feature of this virus is its uncertainty The virus either increases the heartbeat or decreases it even if there is no fever Patients need to be aware of their normal heart rate and if they notice any changes they should inform their doctor The first symptom of this disease is no symptom In some people I noticed they would get tired easily If we are alert at such a stage then we can be prepared for further possible damage In young working professionals we sometimes notice changes in their chest even if they received a COVIDnegative report the previous day Patients must reach out to doctors immediately if they notice any symptoms You neednt call for help only when you develop symptoms like fever cough or severe pneumonia These might be there but when you start to feel exhaustion or reduced oxygen levels you should reach out to a doctor he explainedDr Ashok Seth Chairman of Cardiology Council at Fortis Group of Hospitals said that coronavirus could damage the heart by causing clots reducing the efficiency of heart muscles and rising heart rate There are multiple ways in which this virus attacks the heart The virus tends to form clots in the body It is one of the ways in which the virus attacks the body It also forms inflammations which can lead to heart attacks Formation of clots in young people in lungs can lead to severe breathlessness low blood pressure and low oxygenation The clotting tendency can even lead to stroke in young people These are direct effects of the cardiovascular system Inflammation can also affect the heart muscles leading to reduced pumping efficiency of the heart and heart rate disturbances he addedOther experts emphasised that citizens must take even greater precautions since India is on the upward slope of its COVID track where its peak is yet to be reached One of the precautions is adoption of an antiinflammatory diet said Dr KK Aggarwal former president of the Indian Medical Association Anything refined is inflammatory and should be avoided Take up a noninflammatory diet and add all supplements that are lost by the virus he saidAnil Rajput Chairperson ASSOCHAM CSR Council said Coronavirus has set forth a wide range of damages and challenges for the world that doctors and researches are still struggling to get a grasp on Therefore the golden adage of prevention is better than cure is something all of us must followBesides the experts also stressed the importance of reaching out for mental health support and the increased need for psychological counselling as they expect a surge in its demand owing to the distress caused by COVID19 They further stressed the importance of keeping lungs active and increasing their capacities by undertaking activities like blowing conch shells balloons and whistlesKeep scrolling to read more newsCatch up on all the latest Crime National International and Hatke news here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates MidDay is now on Telegram Click here to join our channel middayinfomedialtd and stay updated with the latest newsThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever