Damaging the heart

Coronavirus Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is largely considered a respiratory virus, but evidence is emerging that it can also affect the heart. In a Perspective, Topol discusses the indirect and direct effects that the virus can have on the heart. Direct effects range from mild injury to inflammation and shock, which can lead to arrhythmia and possibly cardiac arrest. SARS-CoV-2 also has vascular effects that can indirectly affect heart function, as can systemic inflammation. Heart damage does not seem to correlate with the severity of disease, so more assessment of heart function in people infected with SARS-CoV-2 is needed to understand the frequency and what determines whether someone will develop cardiac pathology. Science , this issue p. [408][1] [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.abe2813