Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has been declared a pandemic with devastating effects on the entire world. Madjid et al. from the University of Texas Health Science, Houston, Texas review current information on the virus and COVID-19 and its effects on the cardiovascular system. Coronaviruses, classified in 4 groups, were first identified in humans in the 1960s with 4 types (all from the α and β classes) are endemic in humans usually causing mild and self-limiting upper respiratory infections accounting for 15-30% of common colds. Both SARS (caused by SARS-CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS, caused by MERS-CoV) caused outbreaks (in 2002 and 2012, respectively) that had higher fatality rates but were much less widespread than COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 is genetically more similar to SARS-CoV (82%) than MERS-CoV (50%). The virus has a mean incubation period of 5.2 days (95%CI, 4.1-7.0 days), with the 95th percentile of the distribution at 12.5 days according to one study and up to 14 days according to another. The World Health Organization reported a global mortality rate of 3.4% but importantly, this rate varies by location, intensity of transmission, variations of care, presence of comorbidities (including cardiovascular disease), advanced age, and likely other factors. The primary symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Acute cardiac injury determined by elevated high-sensitivity troponin levels is commonly observed in severe cases and is strongly associated with mortality, complications such as acute respiratory distress syndrome, arrhythmia, renal injury, and coagulopathy. There has been reported cases of viral infiltration of the myocardium causing myocarditis. Myocardial injury can also be caused by ischemia. It is important to note that COVID-19 in addition to inducing new cardiac pathologies (such as myocarditis) may also exacerbate pre-existing cardiovascular disease. Finally, some of the investigational therapies for COVID-19 may have cardiovascular effects. Current treatment, until investigational therapies have been shown to be effective, is supportive care and treatment of complications. The article offers a wonderful review of current knowledge on COVID-19 as well as a review of SARS and MERS which provide further insights on the effects of coronaviruses on the cardiovascular system.