Cardiovascular disease in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic

Emerging evidence indicate a close relationship between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Age is a potent shared risk factor which links the two conditions. Although severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) principally affects the lungs, a sizeable number of patients develop new-onset cardiac dysfunction during the course of the illness. As outlined in this review, cardiovascular manifestations of COVID-19 are complex with patients presenting with one or more of the following: myocarditis, acute myocardial infarction, stroke, cardiomyopathy, heart failure, arrhythmias, acute pericarditis, and venous thromboembolism. Preexisting CVDs make people more vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection and adversely impact clinical outcomes. The World Cardiology Associations have issued consensus-based guidance to ensure that cardiac and stroke care needs of people, are met effectively within the context of the COVID-19 burden. Clinicians caring for COVID-19 patients need to be aware of the potential cardiovascular side effects of various therapies used for treating SARS-CoV-2 infection, including chloroquine/hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin. Research is essential to better understand the mechanisms that shape the close interplay between SARS-CoV-2 infection and CVDs.