Researchers are trying to figure out if COVID-19 or the COVID vaccines are linked to some cases of heart issues in young adults.

No clear link hase been found thus far.

As scientists track college athletes for COVID-19 after-affects, cardiologists say prolonged infection with the virus and others can wreak havoc on the heart.

"Chest pains, shortness of breath and easy fatigue I would say are the things people should look for," says Dr. Steven Kunkes, a cardiac specialist at Yale NH Health. "Palpitations are usually a later sign the muscle is affected and the patient is having an arrhythmia, but that's certainly a symptom to be aware of."

Last September, the Big Ten college conference required cardiac screening for athletes who tested positive for COVID-19. Nearly 1,600 were tested and 37 of them were diagnosed with myo-carditis.

"Which means inflammation of the heart muscle. Many people recover from that. They clear the virus, and the heart gets better. Some people, the virus stays, and the heart gets damaged," Kunkes explains.

He adds that anyone with this issue should avoid exerting themselves.

"Whenever the heart muscle is inflamed, it is essential not to put any more stress on the heart because this can make a temporary problem into a permanent problem," Kunkes says.

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