Covid-19 and Cardiovascular Disease: From Basic Mechanisms to Clinical Perspectives

Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) refers to a type of an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Symptoms of Covid-19 can vary but frequently include headache, loss of smell, exhaustion, fever, loss of taste, cough and breathing difficulties. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a group of diseases that affect the blood vessels or heart. Covid-19 has various interactions with the cardiovascular system causing myocardial dysfunction and damage as well as increasing morbidity in patients with underlying cardiovascular conditions. Covid-19 can also lead to cardiovascular diseases such as acute coronary syndrome, myocardial damage, venous thromboembolism and arrhythmias. Medications including angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors which are designed to lower cardiovascular risk have a variety of side effects that may impact the severity or susceptibility of Covid-19. This book provides significant information to help develop a good understanding of links between Covid-19 and cardiovascular diseases. It aims to shed light on some of the unexplored aspects of these diseases. This book will serve as a reference to a broad spectrum of readers.