We know from cases around the world that patients diagnosed with COVID-19 who have pre-existing medical conditions face significantly increased risks of life-threatening complications and death.

Patients with reduced heart function may be particularly at risk as data indicates that severe COVID-19 infections can cause heart muscle damage and heart failure. 

Many high-risk patients are not attending regular medical reviews due to these heightened risks.  It is essential that we better understand the impact of COVID-19 itself, and the preventative social distancing and isolation on these vulnerable patients.

Dr John Rivers, a Cardiologist at St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital, aims to answer this important question by conducting a novel research project involving 100 patients with reduced heart function who are diagnosed with COVID-19. 

Using smartphone technology to avoid the need to attend healthcare facilities, the impact of COVID-19 infection on measured heart function and symptoms of heart failure will be monitored over a period of six months.