I recently went through a treadmill test (TMT) around mid-April, and just a few days after, I found out I had COVID. I got better by the end of April, but ever since, I've noticed that my heart races, especially when I'm doing things like climbing stairs. I went to a cardiologist, and both my ECG and echo tests looked fine, and he mentioned it might be anxiety. But, while my heartbeat is mostly normal now when I'm resting, I do notice a slight chest pain when I walk for more than 20-25 minutes. I'm curious, should I consider doing another TMT? And I'm really wondering, could having COVID possibly lead to plaque build-up in my arteries, even if the first TMT showed everything was fine? Any advice would be great.

It is unlikely that COVID infection would cause plaque in the arteries directly. However, COVID-19 can lead to inflammation in the body which may indirectly affect the heart and blood vessels. Since your previous TMT was fine, it may not be necessary to repeat it unless your symptoms worsen or persist. The chest pain you are experiencing while walking could be due to various reasons, including muscular pain or anxiety-related issues. To alleviate your symptoms, you can try medications like Ranitidine for acid reflux and Paracetamol for chest pain. If the symptoms persist, it is advisable to consult with your doctor for further evaluation and management.