COVID-19 Infection Linked to Increased Heart Attack and Stroke Risk for Up to 3 Years
TL;DR
COVID-19 infection may increase risk of heart attack, stroke and death, comparable to cardiovascular risk factors like Type 2 diabetes and peripheral artery disease.
An analysis of UK Biobank health data found increased risk of heart attack, stroke and death among adults who had mild to severe COVID-19 before vaccines were available.
The findings suggest that people infected with COVID-19 might benefit from cardiovascular disease prevention treatments to lower the risk of future cardiovascular outcomes, making the world a better place.
Non-O blood type (A, B, AB) was associated with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke among those with COVID-19 infection before vaccines were available.
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A recent analysis of UK Biobank data has uncovered a concerning link between COVID-19 infection and an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and death for up to three years following infection. The study, published in the American Heart Association's journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, examined health data from over 10,000 adults who contracted COVID-19 in 2020, before vaccines were available.
The research found that during the nearly three-year follow-up period, the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death was more than two times higher among adults who had COVID-19, and nearly four times greater for those hospitalized with the virus, compared to individuals without a history of infection. Notably, the elevated risk was comparable to that associated with established cardiovascular risk factors such as Type 2 diabetes and peripheral artery disease.
Lead study author James Hilser, M.P.H., Ph.D.-candidate at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, emphasized the long-term nature of the risk, stating, 'This increased risk of heart attack and stroke continued three years after COVID-19 infection.' The findings suggest that COVID-19 infection may have lasting impacts on cardiovascular health, even for those without pre-existing conditions.
The study also revealed an intriguing genetic component, finding that individuals with non-O blood types (A, B, or AB) who were hospitalized with COVID-19 had a 65% higher risk of heart attack and stroke compared to those with type O blood. This discovery could have implications for identifying high-risk individuals and tailoring preventive strategies.
These findings have significant implications for global health, given that over a billion people worldwide have already experienced COVID-19 infection. Dr. Stanley Hazen, co-senior study author and chair of cardiovascular and metabolic sciences at Cleveland Clinic's Lerner Research Institute, noted that the results 'may translate into an explanation for a rise in cardiovascular disease around the world.'
The study's results underscore the importance of considering COVID-19 infection history in cardiovascular risk assessment and prevention strategies. Healthcare providers may need to consider initiating or accelerating cardiovascular disease prevention efforts for individuals with a history of COVID-19 infection, particularly those who required hospitalization.
While the study has limitations, including its focus on pre-vaccine infections and predominantly white participants, it highlights the need for ongoing research into the long-term effects of COVID-19 on cardiovascular health. As the world continues to grapple with the pandemic's aftermath, these findings emphasize the importance of comprehensive healthcare approaches that address both the immediate and long-term impacts of COVID-19 infection.
Curated from NewMediaWire
