Cardiac Arrests Surge Post-Pandemic: Cases Double from 2019 Baseline Amid Respiratory Complications and Long COVID Effects

By SWA

The significant rise in cardiac arrests during and after the pandemic (baseline increasing from 300 in 2019 to over 600 by December 2024) can also be closely tied to respiratory difficulties—a key factor linked both directly and indirectly to cardiac events. Respiratory issues, particularly those associated with COVID-19, have played a central role in this alarming trend. Here's how respiratory complications contributed to the increase in cardiac arrests:

1. Respiratory Complications as a Trigger for Cardiac Arrest

Respiratory and cardiac health are intricately connected. Respiratory failure or distress can lead to low oxygen levels (hypoxia), which places tremendous stress on the heart, increasing the likelihood of arrhythmias and cardiac arrest. The following respiratory issues became significant contributors during the pandemic:

A. COVID-19-Induced Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

  • Severe COVID-19 infections caused ARDS in many patients. ARDS involves inflammation of the lungs, fluid buildup, and severe oxygen deprivation.
  • Oxygen deprivation (hypoxemia) is a direct risk factor for sudden cardiac arrest, as the heart cannot function effectively without adequate oxygen supply.
  • Many patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19 experienced a combination of respiratory and cardiovascular collapse, leading to cardiac arrests.

B. Long-Term Lung Damage Post-COVID

  • In many individuals, COVID-19 caused long-term damage to the lungs, including fibrosis (scarring of lung tissue) and chronic pulmonary complications, even after recovery.
  • This reduced lung capacity can result in persistent low oxygen levels and chronic strain on the heart, increasing the likelihood of cardiac events over time.

C. Exacerbation of Pre-Existing Respiratory Conditions

  • For individuals with pre-existing respiratory issues such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, or sleep apnea, COVID-19 and other respiratory infections worsened their condition.
  • These respiratory challenges caused a surge in hospitalizations and cardiorespiratory failures, particularly among older adults and those with comorbidities.

2. Indirect Links Between Respiratory Problems and Cardiac Arrest

Respiratory difficulties during the pandemic also had broader systemic effects that indirectly contributed to the rise in cardiac arrests:

A. Silent Hypoxia

  • COVID-19 often presented with "silent hypoxia", where patients had dangerously low oxygen levels without experiencing obvious symptoms of breathlessness. This could lead to sudden cardiac events because patients often delayed seeking care until their condition was critical.

B. Increased Risk of Clot Formation (Pulmonary Embolism)

  • COVID-19 caused widespread hypercoagulability, leading to blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary embolism). These clots can restrict blood flow to the lungs, resulting in severe respiratory distress and sudden cardiac arrest.
  • Even post-COVID, individuals with residual clotting issues were at heightened risk of both respiratory and cardiac complications.

C. Respiratory Infections Beyond COVID-19

  • The pandemic also disrupted immune systems and healthcare patterns, leading to a surge in other respiratory infections such as influenza, RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus), and pneumonia.
  • These infections, especially when compounded by weakened immune systems or post-COVID lung damage, increased hospitalizations and further elevated the risk of respiratory-related cardiac arrests.

3. Sedentary Lifestyles and Diminished Lung Function

  • Lockdowns and reduced physical activity during the pandemic negatively impacted lung health:
    • A lack of exercise weakens both respiratory and cardiovascular systems, reducing the body’s ability to respond to stress (e.g., infections or sudden hypoxia).
    • Weight gain during the pandemic (e.g., "pandemic weight gain") further impaired lung function, especially in individuals with obstructive sleep apnea or other weight-related respiratory challenges.

4. Post-Pandemic Respiratory Challenges

As we approach late 2024, respiratory issues continue to play a role in the elevated baseline for cardiac arrests:

A. Long COVID and Chronic Respiratory Symptoms

  • Many people suffering from long COVID report persistent respiratory difficulties, including shortness of breath, reduced lung function, and fatigue. These chronic symptoms may contribute to ongoing strain on the heart, elevating the risk of cardiac arrest.
  • Studies suggest that long COVID can cause lingering inflammation in both the lungs and the cardiovascular system, creating a vicious cycle of respiratory and cardiac strain.

B. Increased Respiratory Infections

  • By late 2024, healthcare systems may still be dealing with higher rates of respiratory infections (e.g., RSV, flu), particularly as immune patterns have shifted post-pandemic.
  • In vulnerable populations (older adults, immunocompromised individuals), these infections may lead to acute respiratory distress, oxygen deprivation, and subsequent cardiac arrest.

5. Respiratory and Cardiac Arrest in Overwhelmed Healthcare Systems

  • During the pandemic, overwhelmed healthcare systems often delayed or compromised treatment for respiratory distress and associated cardiac issues.
  • Delayed intervention in cases of severe respiratory difficulties likely contributed to worse outcomes, including cardiac arrests that might have been preventable with timely care.
  • Even post-pandemic, residual strain on healthcare systems may be leading to delayed responses to respiratory or cardiac emergencies.

Conclusion

The dramatic increase in cardiac arrests between 2019 and 2024 can be attributed in part to respiratory difficulties caused by:

  • Direct impacts of COVID-19 (e.g., ARDS, hypoxia, lung damage).
  • Post-COVID complications (e.g., chronic lung issues, clotting, and long COVID).
  • Worsened outcomes for individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions.
  • Indirect effects of sedentary lifestyles, weight gain, and increased susceptibility to infections.

Addressing this issue requires a multifaceted approach:

  • Enhanced respiratory care: Monitoring and managing chronic respiratory conditions post-COVID.
  • Preventive strategies: Vaccination programs for COVID-19, flu, and other respiratory infections to reduce hospitalizations and severe outcomes.
  • Early detection and intervention: Improved systems to identify and treat hypoxia, respiratory distress, and clot-related complications before they escalate into cardiac arrests.
  • Lifestyle interventions: Encouraging physical activity, weight management, and smoking cessation to improve both lung and heart health.

Watch Dr. McMillan explains: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKmqLtnIJ2c

© 2000-2025 Sieglinde W. Alexander. All writings by Sieglinde W. Alexander have a fife year copy right. Library of Congress Card Number: LCN 00-192742 ISBN: 0-9703195-0-9

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