How Infections Can Put Extra Stress on the Heart

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) doesn’t just affect your lungs – it can also strain the heart, forcing it to work harder. This can be especially concerning if you or a loved one has a heart condition like heart failure, blocked or narrowed arteries, a past heart attack or stroke, or arrhythmia such as atrial fibrillation.

RSV can raise blood pressure, cause inflammation and make blood clots more likely – all of which can increase your chances of having a heart event. If you have heart disease, you may be more likely to experience serious heart problems like heart failure or a heart attack in the weeks after getting RSV.

Studies have found:

• 1 out of 5 adults 50 or older who were hospitalized with RSV also had some type of heart event – most often heart failure. Among people who already had heart disease, the risk was even higher – 1 in 3 had an acute heart event, including heart failure, heart attack, or a dangerous heart rhythm. This is 3 times higher than in those without heart disease.
• There was a 5-fold increase in major heart problems or stroke in the two weeks after RSV infection, according to a large Danish study.  
• Even after leaving the hospital, people recovering from RSV still can develop heart failure and atrial fibrillation.
• Among older adults hospitalized with RSV, about 19% ended up in the ICU, and 5% died during their hospital stay. This risk is likely higher in people with heart conditions.