| Summary: | Background: Since the emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome
coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) from China, the novel coronavirus disease 2019
(COVID-19) has caused more than five milion deaths worldwide. Several studies
have elucidated the role of risk factors in the prognosis of cardiovascular
disease (CVD) in the progression of COVID-19 pandemic. This systematic review
assesses the link between COVID-19 and cardiovascular risk factors, and
investigates the prognosis in the case of myocardial injury. Methods: A
literature search was performed to identify relevant articles in Pubmed, MEDLINE,
Elsevier, and Google Scholar the last two years using the terms: COVID-19, CVD,
risk factors, cardiovascular risk factors, SARS-CoV-2, lockdown, hypertension,
and diabetes mellitus. Exclusion criteria were the studies associated with
pediatric and pregnant COVID-19 patients. Results: After screening
through 3071 articles, 10 studies were included in this review that captured the
findings from 3912 participants. Included studies found that preexisting CVD was
linked to worse outcomes and increased risk of death in patients with COVID-19,
whereas COVID-19 itself also induced myocardial injury, arrhythmia, acute
coronary syndrome, and venous thromboembolism. Conclusions:
Cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and obesity
were associated with intensive care unit admission and poor prognosis.
Cardiovascular risk factors are crucial for the progression of COVID-19, and
infected patients should be constantly monitored and follow strict hygiene and
decrease their social interactions.
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