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The monsoon season often brings a rise in mosquito-borne diseases, with dengue fever remaining one of the biggest public health concerns.
While most people associate dengue with high fever, severe body aches and a sharp drop in platelet count, its impact can extend far beyond these well-known symptoms.
As dengue cases continue to rise across India, doctors are urging people to recognise that the viral infection is a multi-system disease capable of affecting several organs, including the heart.
Dr Chirag D, Consultant Cardiologist at Aster Whitefield Hospital, Bengaluru, said cardiac complications are relatively uncommon but well documented in dengue patients. He explained that these complications can range from mild abnormalities to life-threatening conditions, particularly in severe infections.
Dr Chirag D advised people with dengue to seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms such as severe chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, low blood pressure, palpitations or fainting, as these could indicate heart involvement.
According to Dr Chirag, the dengue virus can affect the heart either by directly infecting the heart muscle or by triggering an excessive immune response that causes inflammation of the myocardium, a condition known as myocarditis. This inflammation can temporarily weaken the heart’s pumping ability and disrupt its normal electrical activity, increasing the risk of abnormal heart rhythms and other serious cardiac complications.
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