Lung damage, heart damage and depression: what the long-term consequences of COVID-19 could be

The lungs are an organ that is hit by COVID-19 very tangibly. The virus multiplies and neutralizes molecules that help the body fight infection. In difficult situations, lung damage leads to a lack of oxygen. This and other long-term consequences of COVID-19 told the publication "Voice of America".

Most patients recover, others are much less fortunate. Thomas Steele needed a double lung transplant due to the damage caused by the coronavirus.

“Nothing beats when you sit in a hospital room and greedily swallow every breath. And this has been going on for almost 2 months, ”says Thomas.

Almost half of the patients hospitalized with COVID-19 also experience excessive blood clots, which can lead to serious consequences such as stroke.

People who have damaged blood vessels due to high blood pressure, as well as those who suffer from heart disease, are at a greater risk group.

Allan Anderson, physician, is one of many cardiologists who have seen even relatively healthy people get heart problems after being infected with the coronavirus.

“They had elevated blood enzyme markers, as happens during a heart attack. Even though they did not have blockage of the coronary arteries, there was an abnormal heart rhythm that occurred at a high frequency, ”says Anderson.

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Low oxygen levels and increased blood clots are among the causes of damage to another vital organ - the kidneys. The authors of one of the studies, processed data from thousands of hospitalized with COVID-19 in New York, say the numbers are impressive.

“Of the 5349 patients, over 36% developed acute renal failure or kidney damage. 14% needed dialysis, ”says physician Canary Javera.

Other long-term consequences of the disease, although not life-threatening, can significantly worsen its quality. Symptoms may include persistent fatigue, headache, shortness of breath, and chest pain. There are also those who experience dizziness, memory problems, depression.

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For some, symptoms appear immediately after the active phase of COVID-19, in others after a few weeks or months.

Doctors have not yet established a relationship between the complexity of the course of the disease and its long-term consequences.

“We really don't know how many patients will have the long-term effects of COVID-19. Research shows that this can be anywhere from 10 to 80 percent. Therefore, many people can feel these symptoms long after a 4-week recovery period, ”says doctor Christine England.

Some health centers have already set up dedicated clinics to help people deal with the long-term effects of COVID-19. New research shows that early rehabilitation can help gradually improve the functioning of damaged organs.