5 ms·

One factor to consider: Some folks will be absolutely terrified to learn they have this disease, which may have real effects. An example: https://en.m.wikipedia

One factor to consider: Some folks will be absolutely terrified to learn they have this disease, which may have real effects. An example: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voodoo_death https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voodoo_death “These data suggest that vagus contributes to severe emotional states and may be related to emotional states of immobilization, such as extreme terror. Unfortunately, this immobilization technique is potentially life-threatening for mammals (but not for reptiles). Mammals would undergo states of bradycardia or hypoxia as an over-activation of parasympathetic vagus system. The organs of the oxygen-hungry mammal are deprived of oxygen due to lack of blood flow, and the animal dies.”

graeme 7y ago
That implies a low heart rate causing death, correct? If so, this would be an easy hypothesis to test based on heart rate. But also, do the rats in voodoo death have heart damage? These covid patients do. If the rats don’t, then you’re quite off track.
- guscost 7y ago
  It's just one example of a heart-related effect, that's all. Considering that we're all here reading another hypothesis that this is the first-ever respiratory pathogen to infect the heart, it doesn't seem that much of a stretch. We totally should research whether fear can lead to physical heart damage, but I would bet that "stress in general" is the source of this damage, not only emotional stress. See: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/295664 https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/295664 https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317478 https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317478
Zenst 7y ago
Not heard it called this, was aware of https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broken_heart#Broken_heart_syndrome https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broken_heart#Broken_heart_synd... I do recall reading few articles that support it as an actual condition and makes logical sense that for some that will be a factor - lost loved one in same family, increases the odds of catching the virus and also a broken heart. Truly a tradgerday on many levels. Also mindful that the impact of this pandemic will see many indirect deaths in the years to come and the scale of things won't be measured in people who died and tested positive, but how the rest live.

graeme 7y ago

That implies a low heart rate causing death, correct? If so, this would be an easy hypothesis to test based on heart rate. But also, do the rats in voodoo death have heart damage? These covid patients do. If the rats don’t, then you’re quite off track.

guscost 7y ago
It's just one example of a heart-related effect, that's all. Considering that we're all here reading another hypothesis that this is the first-ever respiratory pathogen to infect the heart, it doesn't seem that much of a stretch. We totally should research whether fear can lead to physical heart damage, but I would bet that "stress in general" is the source of this damage, not only emotional stress. See: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/295664 https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/295664 https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317478 https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317478

Zenst 7y ago

Not heard it called this, was aware of https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broken_heart#Broken_heart_syndrome https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broken_heart#Broken_heart_synd... I do recall reading few articles that support it as an actual condition and makes logical sense that for some that will be a factor - lost loved one in same family, increases the odds of catching the virus and also a broken heart. Truly a tradgerday on many levels. Also mindful that the impact of this pandemic will see many indirect deaths in the years to come and the scale of things won't be measured in people who died and tested positive, but how the rest live.