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COVID-19. The CDC says it is still “actively working to learn more about the whole range of short- and long-term health effects associated with COVID-19” and one of the health effects it is “closely watching and work- ing to understand” relates to COVID-19 and the heart. Heart conditions associated with COVID-19 include inflammation and damage to the heart muscle itself or inflammation of the covering of the heart, according to the CDC. Who is more susceptible to long-term effects? Older patients with an underlying illness are more likely to develop heart conditions from COVID, but the CDC states

the risk of heart damage is not limited to only older and middle-aged patients. Young adults, including athletes, can also suffer inflammation and damage

to the heart muscle. Severe heart damage has occurred in young, healthy people but it is quite rare. Dumont added that recovering

COVID-19 patients who are obese, diabetic or suffering from high blood pressure are more likely to experience chronic lung issues. The CDC notes being obese “increases

the risk of severe illness from COVID-19.” The national public health institute further states it is important for those who are obese to take their prescription medicines as directed and to follow their healthcare provider’s recommendations for nutrition and physical activity while maintaining social distancing guidelines. According to a CDC statistic published in 2018, more than 34 million people in the United States have diabetes.

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