Russian Medical Inquiry
(RMZh. Meditsinskoe Obozrenie) ISSN 2587-6821 (Print), 2686-9918 (Online)

Post-COVID heart failure in family practice (literature review)

VAK

Scopus

E-libraryDimensions

russian citation indexULRICHS

roaddoaj

CyberleninkaGoogle Scholar

vinitiResearch4life

MendeleyScilit

РГБWhite list




Open accessCrossrefAntiplagiat

RMJ.ru




DOI: 10.32364/2587-6821-2026-10-9-4

Post-COVID heart failure in family practice (literature review)

V.V. Skvortsov1, A.V. Tumarenko1, S.R. Suvorkov1, E.A. Yuntseva1, M.L. Maksimov2,3, I.I. Fayzullina4

1 Volgograd State Medical University, Volgograd, Russian Federation

2 Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education, Moscow, Russian Federation

3 Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russian Federation

4 Russian Biotechnological University (ROSBIOTECH), Moscow, Russian Federation

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to post-COVID syndrome (PCS) which includes multisystem disorders in most of persons with a history of the disease. Particular attention is paid to cardiovascular consequences referred to as post-COVID heart failure (PCHF), a clinical condition covering newly diagnosed HF or HF aggravated after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Epidemiological data strongly suggest a significant increase in a long-term risk of HF in those who have been exposed to the virus in the past. Clinical presentation of PCHF often differs from conventional ‘'congestive" heart failure, and it can manifest as severe fatigue, orthostatic intolerance, and cognitive impairment associated with minimal objective signs of decompensation. Interdisciplinary nature of PCHF requires the integration of knowledge from infectology, cardiology, and functional medicine. The paper systematizes modern data on pathogenetic mechanisms, clinical phenotypes, diagnosis and management of patients with HF associated with a history of coronaviral infection.

Keywords: COVID-19, chronic heart failure, heart, diagnosis, treatment.

For citation: Skvortsov V.V., Tumarenko A.V., Suvorkov S.R., Yuntseva E.A., Maksimov M.L., Fayzullina I.I. Post-COVID heart failure in family practice (literature review). Russian Medical Inquiry. 2026;10(9):614–620 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.32364/2587-6821-2026-10-9-4

About the authors:

Vsevolod V. Skvortsov — Dr. Sc. (Med.), Professor of the Department of Internal Diseases, Volgograd State Medical University; 1, Pavshikh Bortsov sq., Volgograd, 400066, Russian Federation; ORCID iD 0000-0002-2164-3537

Alexander V. Tumarenko — C. Sc. (Med.), Assistant Professor of the Department of Internal Diseases, Volgograd State Medical University; 1, Pavshikh Bortsov sq., Volgograd, 400066, Russian Federation; ORCID iD 0000-0002-5947-7992

Stepan R. Suvorkov — 5th-Year Student at the Faculty of General Medicine, Volgograd State Medical University; 1, Pavshikh Bortsov sq., Volgograd, 400066, Russian Federation; ORCID iD 0009-0004-7320-4239

Elizaveta A. Yuntseva— 5th-Year Student at the Faculty of General Medicine, Volgograd State Medical University; 1, Pavshikh Bortsov sq., Volgograd, 400066, Russian Federation; ORCID iD 0009-0003-9958-1262

Maksim L. Maksimov — Dr. Sc. (Med.), Professor, Head of the Department of Pharmacy, General Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Consulting, Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education; Dean of the Faculty of Preventive Medicine and Healthcare Organization, Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education; 2/1, bldg. 1, Barrikadnaya str., Moscow, 125993, Russian Federation; Professor of the Department of Pharmacology, institute of Pharmacy and Physical Chemistry, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University; 1, bldg. 6, Ostrovityanov str., Moscow, 117513, Russian Federation; ORCID ID 0000-0002-8979-8084

Ilnura I. Faizullina — Teaching Assistant of the Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary and Sanitary Expertise, and Agrosafety, Russian Biotechnological University (ROSBIOTECH); 11, Volokolamskoe road, Moscow, 125080, Russian Federation; ORCID iD 0009-0003-9589-5248

Contact information: Vsevolod V. Skvortsov, e-mail: vskvortsov1@ya.ru

Financial Disclosure: no authors have a financial or property interest in any material or method mentioned.

There is no conflict of interest.

Received 21.05.2026.

Revised 16.06.2026.

Accepted 09.07.2026.

References
1. Скворцов В.В., Родионова И.В., Суворков С.Р. Сердечно-сосудистые изменения у пациентов с постковидным синдромом: особенности диагностики и лечения. Справочник врача общей практики. 2025;7:33–45. DOI: 10.33920/med-10-2507-04. Skvortsov V.V., Rodionova I.V., Suvorkov S.R. Cardiovascular changes in patients with post-COVID syndrome: features of diagnosis and treatment. Journal of Family Medicine. 2025;7:33–45. (in Russ.). DOI: 10.33920/med-10-2507-04
2. Xie Y., Xu E., Bowe B., Al-Aly Z. Long-term cardiovascular outcomes of COVID-19. Nat Med. 2022;28(3):583–590. DOI: 10.1038/s41591-022-01689-3
3. Wee L.E., Loy E.X., Ngiam N. et al. Risk of new-onset heart failure and heart failure exacerbations following COVID-19, influenza or respiratory-syncytial-virus hospitalisation. Eur J Prev Cardiol. 2025;zwaf714. DOI: 10.1093/eurjpc/zwaf714
4. Ramadan M.S., Bertolino L., Zampino R. et al. Cardiac sequelae after coronavirus disease 2019 recovery: a systematic review. Clin Microbiol Infect. 2021;27(9):1250–1261. DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2021.06.015
5. König S., Hohenstein S., Meier-Hellmann A. et al. In-hospital care in acute heart failure during the COVID-19 pandemic: insights from the German-wide Helios hospital network. Eur J Heart Fail. 2020;22(12):2190–2201. DOI: 10.1002/ejhf.2044
6. Chioncel O., Benson L., Crespo-Leiro M.G. et al. Comprehensive characterization of non-cardiac comorbidities in acute heart failure: an analysis of ESC-HFA EURObservational Research Programme Heart Failure Long-Term Registry. Eur J Prev Cardiol. 2023;30(13):1346–1358. DOI: 10.1093/eurjpc/zwad151
7. Oseran A.S., Song Y., Xu J. et al. Long term risk of death and readmission after hospital admission with covid-19 among older adults: retrospective cohort study. BMJ. 2023;382:e076222. DOI: 10.1136/bmj-2023-076222
8. Alvarez-Garcia J., Jaladanki S., Rivas-Lasarte M. et al. New Heart Failure Diagnoses Among Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2021;77(17):2260–2262. DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2021.03.006
9. Zuin M., Rigatelli G., Roncon L. et al. Risk of incident heart failure after COVID-19 recovery: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Heart Fail Rev. 2023;28(4):859–864. DOI: 10.1007/s10741-022-10292-0
10. Siddiqi R., Farhan S.H., Shah S.A. et al. National trends in heart failure and acute myocarditis-related death before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Am Heart Assoc. 2025;14(10):e038987. DOI: 10.1161/JAHA.124.038987
11. Fatuyi M., Amoah J., Egbuchiem H. et al. Impact of COVID-19 Infection on Clinical Outcomes Among Patients With Acute Decompensated Heart Failure: A Nationwide Analysis. Curr Probl Cardiol. 2023;48(11):101908. DOI: 10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2023
12. Bromage D.I., Cannatà A., Rind I.A. et al. The impact of COVID-19 on heart failure hospitalization and management: report from a Heart Failure Unit in London during the peak of the pandemic. Eur J Heart Fail. 2020;22(6):978–984. DOI: 10.1002/ejhf.1925
13. Salah H.M., Fudim M., O'Neil S.T. et al. Post-recovery COVID-19 and incident heart failure in the National COVID Cohort Collaborative (N3C) study. Nat Commun. 2022;13(1):4117. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31834-y
14. Kato S., Azuma M., Fukui K. et al. Cardiac involvement in coronavirus disease 2019 assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging: a meta-analysis. Heart Vessels. 2022;37(9):1570–1582. DOI: 10.1007/s00380-022-02055-6
15. Abid S., Jannath H. Cardiac effects in post-COVID-19 heart failure: a systematic review of longitudinal imaging- and biomarker-based structural and functional remodeling. Ann Card Anaesth. 2026;29(2):157–168. DOI: 10.4103/aca.aca_214_25
16. Joarder A., Kaisar N., Khan T. et al. MINOCA — perhaps a rare post-COVID-19 infection cardiac complication in disguise: a case report. Journal of MAR Cardiology. 2021;6(3). (Electronic resource.) URL: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/359236096_MINOCA_-Perhaps_a_Rare_Post-Covid-19_Infection_Ca... (access date: 31.07.2026).
17. Root-Bernstein R., Huber J., Ziehl A., Pietrowicz M. SARS-CoV-2 and its bacterial co- or super-infections synergize to trigger COVID-19 autoimmune cardiopathies. Int J Mol Sci. 2023;24(15):12177. DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512177
18. Щербак С.Г., Вологжанин Д.А., Макаренко С.В. и др. Поражение мио­карда при COVID-19 и нарушения ритма сердца в остром и отдаленном периодах. Физическая и реабилитационная медицина, медицинская реабилитация. 2025;7(3):221–242. DOI: 10.36425/rehab688574. Sсherbak S.G., Vologzhanin D.A., Makarenko S.V. et al. Myocardial injury in COVID-19 and cardiac arrhythmias in acute and long-term periods. Physical and rehabilitation medicine, medical rehabilitation. 2025;7(3):221–242 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.36425/rehab688574
19. Масалкина О.В., Чернявина А.И., Козиолова Н.А. и др. Предикторы развития впервые выявленной хронической сердечной недостаточности у больных с одышкой при длительном постковидном синдроме. Кардиология. 2025;65(8):42–52. DOI: 10.18087/cardio.2025.8.n2986. Masalkina O.V., Chernyavina A.I., Koziolova N.A. et al. Predictors of the Development of Newly Diagnosed Chronic Heart Failure in Patients with Shortness of Breath in Long-Term Post-COVID Syndrome. Kardiologiia. 2025;65(8):42–52 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.18087/cardio.2025.8.n2986
20. Wang S.Y., Adejumo P., See C. et al. Characteristics of patients referred to a cardiovascular disease clinic for post‑acute sequelae of SARS‑CoV‑2 infection. Am Heart J Plus. 2022;18:100176. DOI: 10.1101/2021.12.04.21267294
21. Parizad R., Hatwal J., Brar A. et al. Long‑term cardiovascular sequelae of COVID‑19 in patients with pre‑existing heart failure: a systematic review. Explor Cardiol. 2026;4:101284. DOI: 10.37349/ec.2026.101284
22. Citu I.M., Citu C., Gorun F. et al. Using the NYHA classification as forecasting tool for hospital readmission and mortality in heart failure patients with COVID‑19. J Clin Med. 2022;11(5):1382. DOI: 10.3390/jcm11051382
23. Мареев ЮВ., Лукьянов М.М., Марцевич С.Ю. и др. Частота выявления и характеристика хронической сердечной недостаточности в зависимости от используемых диагностических критериев у перенесших COVID‑19 через год после госпитального лечения. Кардиоваскулярная терапия и профилактика. 2022;21(12):3437. DOI: 10.15829/1728-8800-2022-3437. Mareev Yu.V., Lukyanov M.M., Martsevich S.Yu. et al. Detection rate and characteristics of heart failure, depending on the diagnostic criteria in COVID-19 survivors one year after hospitalization. Cardiovascular Therapy and Prevention. 2022;21(12):3437 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.15829/1728-8800-2022-3437
24. Tavernese A., Rizza V., Cammalleri V. et al. Early echocardiographic markers in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis. 2025;12(6):229. DOI: 10.3390/jcdd12060229
25. Shafiabadi Hassani N., Talakoob H., Karim H et al. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging findings in 2954 COVID‑19 adult survivors: a comprehensive systematic review. J Magn Reson Imaging. 2022;55(3):866–880. DOI: 10.1002/jmri.27852
26. Ibrahim M., Ahmad J., Abbas M. et al. The role of N‑terminal pro‑B‑type natriuretic peptide, troponins, and D‑dimer in acute cardio‑respiratory syndromes: a multi‑specialty systematic review. Cureus. 2025;17(5):e84460. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.84460
27. Razzaq U.B., Docherty K.F., Al Ajmi A. et al. Post‑COVID‑19 era heart failure diagnosis and outcomes: adherence to National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines. Open Heart. 2026;13(1):e003785. DOI: 10.1136/openhrt-2025-003785
28. The Task Force for the management of COVID‑19 of the European Society of Cardiology. ESC guidance for the diagnosis and management of cardiovascular disease during the COVID‑19 pandemic: part 2 — care pathways, treatment, and follow‑up. Eur Heart J. 2022;43(11):1059–1103. DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehab697
29. Palazzuoli A., Lavie C.J., Severino P. et al. Co‑management of COVID‑19 and heart failure during the COVID‑19 pandemic: lessons learned. Rev Cardiovasc Med. 2022;23(6):218. DOI: 10.31083/j.rcm2306218
30. Fang L., Karakiulakis G., Roth M. Are patients with hypertension and diabetes mellitus at increased risk for COVID‑19 infection? Lancet Respir Med. 2020;8(4):e21. DOI: 10.1016/S2213-2600(20)30116-8
31. Ferrari F., Martins V.M., Fuchs F.D., Stein R. Renin‑angiotensin‑aldosterone system inhibitors in COVID‑19: a review. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2021;76:e2342. DOI: 10.6061/clinics/2021/e2342
32. Okumura T., Murohara T. The renin‑angiotensin‑aldosterone system inhibitor dilemma in COVID‑19: balancing cardiovascular benefits and viral risks. Hypertens Res. 2024;47:2598–2600. DOI: 10.1038/s41440-024-01772-x
33. De Abajo F.J., Rodríguez‑Martín S., Lerma V. et al. Use of renin‑angiotensin‑aldosterone system inhibitors and risk of COVID‑19 requiring admission to hospital: a case‑population study. Lancet. 2020;395(10238):1705–1714. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(20)31030-8
34. Meng J., Xiao G., Zhang J. et al. Renin‑angiotensin system inhibitors improve the clinical outcomes of COVID‑19 patients with hypertension. Emerg Microbes Infect. 2020;9(1):757–760. DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2020.1746200
35. Zhou F., Liu Y.M., Xie J. et al. Comparative impacts of ACE (angiotensin‑converting enzyme) inhibitors versus angiotensin II receptor blockers on the risk of COVID‑19 mortality. Hypertension. 2020;76(2):e15–e17. DOI: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.120.15622
36. Pirola C.J., Sookoian S. Estimation of renin‑angiotensin‑aldosterone‑system (RAAS)‑inhibitor effect on COVID‑19 outcome: a meta‑analysis. J Infect. 2020;81(2):276–281. DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2020.05.052
37. Najafi N., Davoudi A., Izadyar H. et al. The effect of ACE inhibitors and ARBs on outcomes in hospitalized patients with COVID‑19. Ir J Med Sci. 2023;192(3):1517–1523. DOI: 10.1007/s11845-022-03096-6
38. Flacco M.E., Acuti Martellucci C., Bravi F. et al. Treatment with ACE inhibitors or ARBs and risk of severe/lethal COVID‑19: a meta‑analysis. Heart. 2020;106(19):1519–1524. DOI: 10.1136/heartjnl-2020-317336
39. Lopes R.D., Macedo A.V.S., De Barros E. et al. Effect of discontinuing vs continuing angiotensin‑converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers on days alive and out of the hospital in patients admitted with COVID‑19. JAMA. 2021;325(3):254–264. DOI: 10.1001/jama.2020.25864
40. Paranjpe I., Fuster V., Lala A. et al. Association of treatment‑dose anticoagulation with in‑hospital survival among hospitalized patients with COVID‑19: JACC state‑of‑the‑art review. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2020;76(1):122–124. DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2020.05.001
41. Mohseni Afshar Z., Tavakoli Pirzaman A., Hosseinzadeh R. et al. Anticoagulant therapy in COVID‑19: a narrative review. Clin Transl Sci. 2023;16(9):1510–1525. DOI: 10.1111/cts.13569
42. Rosano G., Yankovska E., Rej R. et al. COVID‑19 vaccination in patients with heart failure: a position paper of the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology. Eur J Heart Fail. 2021;23(11):1806–1818. DOI: 10.1002/ejhf.2356
43. Chun K.H., Lee C.J., Park H. et al. Effectiveness and safety of COVID‑19 vaccination in patients with heart failure: a nationwide retrospective cohort study. Korean Circ J. 2026;56(2):177–191. DOI: 10.4070/kcj.2024.0429
44. Johnson K.W., Patel S., Thapi S. et al. Association of reduced hospitalizations and mortality rates among COVID‑19‑vaccinated patients with heart failure. J Card Fail. 2022;28(9):1475–1479. DOI: 10.1016/j.cardfail.2022.05.008
45. Raman B., Bluemke D.A., Lüscher T.F., Neubauer S. Long COVID: post‑acute sequelae of COVID‑19 with a cardiovascular focus. Eur Heart J. 2022;43(11):1157–1172. DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehac031
46. Gloeckl R., Leitl D., Jarosch I. et al. Benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation in COVID‑19: a prospective observational cohort study. ERJ Open Res. 2021;7(2):00108–2021. DOI: 10.1183/23120541.00108‑2021

License Creative Commons
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons «Attribution» 4.0 License.


Previous article
Next article