A new study from the Cleveland Clinic and the University of Southern California suggests that having a previous coronavirus infection may make you more susceptible to heart attack, stroke and death.
Researchers have found that the risk of a serious cardiac event doubles in the three years after a positive coronavirus test, even in people with no history of heart disease.
Researchers looked at data from the UK Biobank between February and December 2020 on 10,000 people aged 50 and over who had coronavirus and 217,730 people who did not contract the virus. Analyzed.
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The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health and published in the journal Arterioscularosis, Throbosis, and Vascular Biology.
Previous infection with the coronavirus may make you more susceptible to heart attack, stroke or death, according to new research. (St. Petersburg)
“These studies add to a growing body of data showing that COVID-19 infection can increase the risk of experiencing adverse cardiac events over time,” said co-senior study author said Lerner, Stanley Hazen, MD, director of cardiovascular and metabolic sciences at the Cleveland Clinic. The Institute and Co-Director of Preventive Cardiology told Fox News Digital.
The researchers were surprised to find that the increased risk remained the same over three years.
Patients infected with coronavirus are at risk for 20 types of heart and vascular diseases: study
“The two-fold increase in risk observed in the first year after infection was also seen in the second and even third year,” Hazen noted.
“This was seen in all subjects, regardless of age, gender, or risk factors for heart disease.”
Those who had more adverse symptoms experienced a slightly higher risk than those with milder symptoms.
The researchers were surprised to find that the increased risk remained the same over three years. (St. Petersburg)
“In particular, subjects who developed severe COVID-19 infection and required hospitalization were more likely to experience major adverse cardiac events (MACE = myocardial infarction, stroke, death) during the subsequent 3 years of follow-up. The risks were even higher,” Professor Hazen said.
Blood type also appears to influence risk, the study found.
People with blood types other than O, such as A, B, and AB, had twice the risk of serious cardiac events compared to people with type O blood.
“This study confirms what many of us have seen anecdotally over the past five years.”
It has also been shown that people with blood type O are more likely to contract COVID-19.
“Given our collective observations and the fact that 60% of the world’s population has these non-O blood types, our research is likely to be more aggressive by considering an individual’s genetic makeup. “This raises important questions about whether we should consider further cardiovascular risk reduction efforts,” Dr. Hazen said. said in a press release.
Based on these findings, the researchers recommend that healthcare providers consider COVID-19 infection as a risk factor for heart disease. (St. Petersburg)
Dr. Bradley Serwer, a cardiologist and chief medical officer at Vital Solutions, a Cincinnati, Ohio-based company that provides cardiovascular and anesthesiology services to hospitals nationwide, said he was involved in the study. Although he did not, he commented on the “interesting” results.
“This study confirms what many of us have seen anecdotally over the past five years,” he told FOX News Digital.
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“Since the beginning of the outbreak, we have seen cardiac complications such as heart inflammation, a tendency to form blood clots, and an increase in abnormal heart rhythms, especially atrial fibrillation.”
“Dr. Hazen, the lead author, has some interesting theories that we think will be tested in the future.”
reduce risk
Based on these findings, Hazen recommends that health care providers consider COVID-19 infection as a risk factor for heart disease.
“Heart disease is the number one killer worldwide,” he pointed out.
People with blood types other than O, such as A, B, and AB, had twice the risk of serious cardiac events compared to people with type O blood. (St. Petersburg)
“With more than 1 billion people around the world having experienced COVID-19 to date, these studies make the case that this is no small problem, and that this is a global preventive mindset. We hope this serves as a reminder of our commitment to reducing vascular risk.”
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Some of those efforts include monitoring your cholesterol levels and blood pressure, adopting an exercise program, and being more mindful of your diet.
Doctors recommend monitoring your cholesterol levels and blood pressure, implementing an exercise program, and paying more attention to your diet to reduce your risk. (St. Petersburg)
“Let us remind you of this study: If you are over 50 and have had COVID-19, ask if there is anything more you can do to reduce your heart risk,” advises Dr. Hazen. did.
“Also, be sure to get your COVID-19 vaccination and booster.”
More research needed, experts agree
Experts acknowledged that the study had some limitations.
“These findings point to the need for further investigation,” Hazen said.
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“A better understanding of what COVID-19 does at the molecular level could help us learn about pathways associated with cardiovascular disease risk.”
Sarwar agreed, adding: “This study shows an association, but not causation.”
