COVID-19 Infection Significantly Increases Risk of Heart Attack, Stroke, and Death:New Study
LONDON – A groundbreaking study published in the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology reveals a stark reality: individuals who contract COVID-19 face a significantly heightened risk of heart attack, stroke, and deathfor up to three years after infection. This large-scale research, analyzing medical records of approximately 250,000 individuals in the UK Biobank database,underscores the long-term cardiovascular implications of the virus.
The study, conducted by researchers at the Cleveland Clinic, identified 11,000 individuals who contracted COVID-19 in 2020, with nearly 3,000 requiring hospitalization due to the severity of their infection. Comparing these individuals to 222,000 others who did not contract COVID-19, the researchers discovered a startling trend: those who had COVID-19were twice as likely to experience a heart attack, stroke, or death within the following three years.
The risk was even more pronounced for individuals who were hospitalized due to their COVID-19 infection. These individuals exhibited a more than threefold increased risk of heart attack and stroke compared to those who never contracted the virus.
What’s really striking is that this increased risk didn’t seem to go away over time, said Dr. Stanley Hazen, lead author of the study and chair of the Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences at the Cleveland Clinic. This is a very surprising finding.
While the exact mechanisms by which COVID-19impacts the cardiovascular system remain unclear, early research suggests that the virus can directly infect cells in the blood vessel walls. Additionally, the virus has been found within the sticky plaques that form in arteries, which can rupture and trigger heart attacks and strokes.
This finding is alarming and seems to be unique to COVID-19, commented Dr. Patricia Best, a cardiologist at the Mayo Clinic. We’ve known for a long time that viral infections can increase the risk of heart attack, whether you have the flu or another type of infection, but that risk usually goes away quickly after recovery. COVID-19 seems to have amore lasting and severe impact on the heart than other infections.
The study also revealed a potential link between blood type and cardiovascular risk. Individuals with non-O blood types (A, B, or AB) who were hospitalized with COVID-19 faced a higher risk of heart attack or stroke compared to those with O bloodtype. However, even those with O blood type still exhibited an increased risk of heart attack and stroke, highlighting the widespread cardiovascular implications of the virus.
It’s important to note that the study did not assess the impact of COVID-19 vaccination on cardiovascular risk. However, Dr. Hazen believes that vaccination mayoffer protection, as vaccines typically prevent individuals from experiencing severe COVID-19 symptoms.
This study provides compelling evidence of the long-term cardiovascular consequences of COVID-19 infection. The findings underscore the importance of continued research to understand the mechanisms behind these risks and develop strategies to mitigate them. It also emphasizes theimportance of vaccination and preventative measures to minimize the risk of contracting COVID-19 and its potential long-term health implications.
References:
- Hazen, S. L., et al. (2024). Association of COVID-19 Infection With Incident Cardiovascular Events and Mortality. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology.
Note: This article is based on the information provided and is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have concerns about your health, please consult with a qualified healthcare professional.
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