When my patient came to the hospital unable to breathe weeks after #COVID19, it was his heart not his lungs that was failing. Now he might need a transplant.

In @nytopinion I explain how COVID19 could create a wave of heart disease. Here's how 1/n https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/17/opinion/covid-19-heart-disease.html?smid=tw-share

We know COVID19 is really bad for patients with pre-existing heart disease and we also know if directly affects the heart, from direct injury or inflammation. Several pro and college athletes have shown evidence of myocarditis after COVID infection. https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/29633697/heart-condition-linked-covid-19-fuels-power-5-concern-season-viability 2/n

The study I cite showing very high rates of myocarditis after COVID19 has had important concerns raised. See this thread from the great @ProfDFrancis. As I wrote, generalizability & significance of these findings are unknown. We def need more data. 3/n https://twitter.com/ProfDFrancis/status/1294370975702822914

Another MAJOR way that COVID19 has spread heart disease is likely through deferral or interruption of routine care. See these data I looked at from @CDCgov showing how many more have died of heart disease, diabetes and stroke since February. 4/n

While excess heart deaths have come down, they are now going back up. The solution is simple: control the pandemic! If pandemic is uncontrolled both direct and indirect effects of COVID19 will continue to kill countless. 5/5 CC: @EricTopol @ScottGottliebMD @ashishkjha