COVID-19 has impacted the world’s health systems in ways that have not been seen before, with deaths and infections affecting millions of people in the world today. The virus is especially dangerous for the most vulnerable groups of the population, for instance, patients with CVD and diabetes. Not only do these persons need to understand their susceptibility to more severe forms should they be infected by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is responsible for COVID-19, but they also have to be aware of the fact that their conditions present specific treatment challenges. Knowledge of COVID-19’s effects and its interactions with these chronic illnesses is vital in caring for the patients and in catering for the impacts on available healthcare resources during the pandemic.
COVID-19 is a serious threat to patients with cardiovascular disease. This infection can also make pre-existing heart conditions worse to the point of heart failure, arrhythmias, and acute coronary syndromes. People with pre-existing heart issues are more vulnerable to poor evolution based on how the virus increases inflammation in the heart. This inflammation can result in the rupture of the plaques, and this makes people suffer heart attacks and other cardiovascular complications. Also, COVID-19 can exert a direct impact on the respiratory system, resulting in pulmonary hypertension, which puts more pressure on the heart, especially for patients with pre-existing cardiovascular disorders.
Likewise, COVID-19 impacts those having diabetes in dreadful ways; they form a vulnerable population during the pandemic. Diabetes can affect the immune system of a person to some extent; therefore, the body may not be very strong enough to fight off infections such as COVID-19. Also, high blood sugar affects inflammation processes and, if infected, can lead to more serious complications. Also, diabetic patients have other related illnesses like obesity, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease, which elevates the chances of critical illness and death caused by COVID-19. Diabetic patients who get infected with COVID-19 have to be closely monitored before and during management to ensure good glycemic control and proceed with appropriate management of any complications.
A new study record reveals that people with both CVD and diabetes are at a much higher risk of hospitalization, ICU admission, and death if infected with COVID-19. These observations signify that more effective approaches to the allocation and utilization of resources concerning these identified populations are vital and urgent. Patient compliance with prescribed drugs means good management of clients, including maintaining near-normal blood sugar and blood pressure levels, preventing diseases by getting vaccinated, and washing hands frequently.
COVID-19 and cardiovascular disease can coexist and affect each other in various ways. COVID-19 is proprioceptively linked with the ACE2 receptor, which is also used by the virus to invade human cells and at the same time control blood pressure and cardiovascular functions. SARS-CoV-2 uses this receptor to enter cells; this interferes with usual cardiovascular processes and causes complications. For instance, the direct viral tropism for ACE2 causes unopposed intravascular angiotensin II activity, leading to constriction, inflammation, and oxidative stress, all of which are cardiotoxic.