Ask the Physician
The New Jersey Police Chief Magazine | October 2020
I had COVID-19 in the spring . Thankfully I didn ’ t have a very serious case , but I haven ’ t quite felt myself since then . Lately I have been having chest pain and shortness of breath . Do you think these could be related ? LeRoy , Rahway
LeRoy , absolutely these could be .
First , we have no idea yet what the long-term effects that even a mild case of COVID has on the body . More and more we are hearing of “ long haulers ” who suffer months after they recover , and many hospitals now have COVID rehab centers to address the variety of lingering physical problems .
I am worried about your heart . There is mounting evidence that COVID can cause heart inflammation , or myocarditis . This could be a very serious condition , and I strongly recommend that you make an appointment with a cardiologist as soon as possible , preferably at a hospital like Deborah that has experience in treating these types of heart conditions .
The sooner you seek a specialist ’ s care , the better . For more information , visit www . DemandDeborah . org or call 855-646-3484 .
Kulpreet Barn , MD Director , Advanced Heart Failure Center Deborah Heart and Lung Center
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