MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION IN THE PRE- AND POST-COVID-19 ERA: A REVIEW OF EMERGING PATHOPHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGES

Heart attack (myocardial infarction) takes place when blood flow to the heart is completely or partially blocked(obstructed). Results in necrosis of heart cells and ischemia. The major risk factors for heart attack PRE COVID-19 pandemic including modifiable factors such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, smoking, diabetes mellitus, obesity, sedentary lifestyle along with non-modifiable factors are age, sex, genetic transfer. Condition such as smoking, hypertension and diabetes mellitus that majorly increase the risk of coronary heart disease and subsequent myocardial infarction. After COVID-19 it is evident that infection will directly or indirectly affects cardiovascular health. This SARS-CoV2 infects heart muscle cells through ACE2 (angiotensin converting enzyme 2) receptors leading to direct effect on myocardial damage, microvascular thrombosis and endothelial dysfunction. Both PRE-COVID and POST-COVID heart attacks (myocardial infarction) has similar ischemic mechanisms but different in triggering the vascular damage and extent of inflammation. For better understanding the long term heart related diseases continued research is necessary.