Molecular Determinants, Clinical Manifestations and Effects of Immunization on Cardiovascular Health During COVID-19 Pandemic Era - A Review

The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has enveloped the world into an unprecedented pandemic since 2019. Significant damage to multiple organs, such as the lungs and heart, has been extensively reported. Cardiovascular injury by ACE2 downregulation, hypoxia-induced myocardial injury, and systemic inflammatory responses complicate the disease. This virus causes multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children with similar symptoms to adult SARS-CoV-2-induced myocarditis. While several treatment strategies and immunization programs have been implemented to control the menace of this disease, the risk of long-term cardiovascular damage associated with the disease has not been adequately assessed. In this review, we surveyed and summarized all the available information on the effects of COVID-19 on cardiovascular health as well as comorbidities. We also examined several case reports on post-immunization cardiovascular complications.