New Delhi, April 2: A recent study indicates that individuals suffering from Long COVID may face a significantly higher risk of heart-related diseases. Researchers from the Karolinska Institute made this crucial discovery.
Published in the journal ‘eClinicalMedicine’, the study found that those with Long COVID are at an increased risk of cardiac arrhythmias and coronary disease, even among individuals who were not hospitalized during their infection.
Researcher Pia Lindberg noted that both men and women with Long COVID exhibited a higher incidence of cardiovascular issues. Notably, women showed an increased risk of heart failure and peripheral vascular disease. However, the study did not establish a clear link between Long COVID and stroke.
According to the findings, Long COVID is emerging as a serious global health concern, with multiple studies suggesting it may lead to heart diseases in the future. The researchers investigated the frequency of major cardiac events among Long COVID patients compared to those without the condition.
The study involved approximately 1.2 million participants, with around 9,000 diagnosed with Long COVID, accounting for 0.7% of the total. About two-thirds of these patients were women.
Over a follow-up period of nearly four years, it was evident that individuals with Long COVID had a markedly higher risk of heart disease. Among women, 18.2% experienced some form of heart-related issue, while the figure was 20.6% for men. In contrast, the rates for those without Long COVID were 8.4% for women and 11.1% for men.
The research indicated that women with Long COVID faced more than double the risk of heart disease, while men had a risk approximately one-third higher.
Researchers warned that many individuals did not require hospitalization during their COVID infection, which may lead to overlooked severe health issues later on.
The study’s conclusions suggest that Long COVID could pose a heart disease risk even for previously healthy and younger individuals. Experts recommend regular and systematic follow-ups for patients, particularly considering gender differences.
My name is Narendra Jijhontiya. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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