Risk of Heart Attacks and Strokes Increased After COVID-19 Hospitalization
Study Reveals High Risk of Serious Cardiac Events
A recent study has found that people hospitalized for COVID-19 early in the pandemic were at a significantly increased risk of serious "cardiac events" such as heart attacks and strokes. The risk was comparable to that of individuals with a history of heart disease, according to the study published in the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology.
Increased Risk of Heart Attacks and Strokes
The researchers from USC, UCLA, and the Cleveland Clinic analyzed over 10,000 COVID-19 cases tracked by the UK Biobank to examine the impact of COVID-19 on the risk of heart attacks and other cardiac threats. The study assessed outcomes for people who were sickened in the first year of the pandemic and followed for nearly three years.
The findings suggest that even those without a prior history of heart disease were at a significantly increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, and death if they were hospitalized for COVID-19. The risk was roughly twice as high for people who had contracted COVID-19 at any level of severity, and four times as high for those who were hospitalized.
Genetics Play a Role in Increased Risk
The study also found that the risk of cardiac events differed by blood type. People with blood types A, B, or AB were more likely to experience an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes than those with type O blood. This suggests that genetics play a role in the increased risk of developing future heart attacks and strokes after COVID-19.
Implications for Healthcare
The study’s findings have significant implications for healthcare. Researchers suggest that doctors should be cautious in managing patients who have had COVID-19, especially those who were hospitalized. "Doctors need to start considering COVID as a potential major risk factor for future cardiovascular events," said Hooman Allayee, principal investigator and professor of population and public health sciences at USC’s Keck School of Medicine.
Limitations and Future Research
The study is not without limitations. It only examined COVID-19 cases early in the pandemic, before vaccines became available. Additionally, some patients may have had undiagnosed heart disease when they were hospitalized, which would not be evident in the UK Biobank data.
Conclusion
The study highlights the long-term impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular health, emphasizing the need for healthcare professionals to consider COVID-19 as a risk factor for future heart attacks and strokes. The findings have significant implications for personalized medicine and the development of targeted treatment strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What was the scope of the study?
A: The study analyzed over 10,000 COVID-19 cases tracked by the UK Biobank to examine the impact of COVID-19 on the risk of heart attacks and other cardiac threats.
Q: What were the findings of the study?
A: The study found that people hospitalized for COVID-19 were at a significantly increased risk of serious "cardiac events" such as heart attacks and strokes, comparable to those with a history of heart disease.
Q: What are the implications for healthcare?
A: The study’s findings suggest that doctors should consider COVID-19 as a risk factor for future cardiovascular events and develop targeted treatment strategies.
Q: What limitations does the study have?
A: The study only examined COVID-19 cases early in the pandemic, before vaccines became available, and did not account for patients with undiagnosed heart disease.
