Ruptured Heart Caused First COVID-19 Death in U.S., Autopsy States

https://www.newsweek.com/ruptured-heart-caused-first-covid-19-death-us-autopsy-states-1500594

By Kashmira Gander On 4/28/20 at 7:50 AM EDT

A California woman who is thought to be the first person to die of COVID-19 in the U.S. suffered a ruptured heart, according to an autopsy report.

Patricia Dowd, 57, died on February 6, 2020, the report exclusively obtained by the San Francisco Chronicle stated.

The autopsy report signed by medical examiner Dr. Susan Parson said that Dowd complained of flu-like symptoms in the days leading up to her death. Dowd was described as "mildy obese" but had no known underlying conditions. The document showed that as well as her heart, COVID-19 had spread to her trachea, lungs, and intestines. Parson found evidence that Dowd's left ventricle had ruptured, and this was linked to COVID-19.

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Melinek told The Mercury News: "The immune system was attacking the virus and in attacking the virus, it damaged the heart and then the heart basically burst."

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