While Tiny Lister reportedly battled COVID-19, the actor’s death still caused shockwaves in Hollywood when it was announced in April. Just weeks prior to his passing, it was reported that the actor received treatment and was recovering well.
Apparently, Lister died in December 2020 at the age of 62, hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The coroner’s report said the Friday movie franchise actor had an enlarged heart with high blood pressure, poor circulation in his legs, and coronary artery disease.
For people who have had COVID-19 and had preexisting cardiovascular issues, lingering COVID-19 heart problems can complicate their recovery.
So, how can COVID-19 exacerbate symptoms for those who have heart problems?
According to Johns Hopkins University, some of the symptoms common in coronavirus “long-haulers,” such as palpitations, dizziness, chest pain, and shortness of breath, may be due to heart problems — or, just from having been ill with COVID-19.
What are the possible heart issues after COVID-19?
COVID-19, the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, can cause substantial damage to the heart muscle and affect overall heart function over the long term.
There are multiple causes for this. Per the Johns Hopkins medical research group, the heart’s cells have angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2) receptors where the coronavirus attaches before entering cells.
Heart damage can also be due to high levels of inflammation circulating in the body. As the body’s immune system fights off the virus, the inflammatory process can damage some healthy tissues, including the heart, and can even cause extra fluid to accumulate in the chest cavity.
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This can explain why TMZ reported Lister’s autopsy revealed the actor “had fluid in his chest when he died.”
The coronavirus infection also affects the inner surfaces of veins and arteries, which can cause blood vessel inflammation, damage to very small vessels, and blood clots, all of which can compromise blood flow to the heart or other parts of the body.
After you have had COVID-19, it has been reported that some patients with preexisting heart issues can experience a rapid heartbeat or palpitations; if this is frequent, contact your doctor immediately.
A temporary increase in heart rate can be caused by a lot of different things, including dehydration. Make sure you are drinking enough fluids, especially if you have a fever.
It was also reported that Lister had diabetes.
Per a new study published in The Lancet Regional Health—Europe, people with type 2 diabetes are at significantly elevated risk of needing intensive care if they get COVID-19. The Swedish study has examined the number of new cases and the likelihood of hospitalization, intensive care, and mortality due to COVID-19 in people with diabetes.
The study shows that type 2 diabetics' risk of being hospitalized for COVID-19 was 1.4 times that of non-diabetics. So that's a 40 percent higher risk," says Aidin Rawshani, researcher at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg.
Please regularly visit your doctor if you have preexisting conditions and have contracted COVID-19. For more information, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.
