In 2020 this virus has caused a pandemic. As with all other viruses, they can cause general flu like illnesses and commonly affect the heart. What distinguishes this virus from others, is the pronounced latent inflammatory effects that occur about 5 days later. One of the commonest effects Covid can have is chest pain. This highlights the inflammatory effects it can have on the lining of the lungs (pleura), and the pericardium.

This can last several months. More seriously, it can affect the heart muscle causing myocarditis (see separate section on myocarditis), and this may be associated with heart failure and arrhythmia. Patients with chest pains and breathlessness need to be assessed with ECGs, chest x-rays and an echocardiogram to exclude the cardiac effects of this virus.