A study published in the American Heart Association's journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology has uncovered a link between COVID-19 infection and long-term cardiovascular risks. The research analyzed data from the UK Biobank and found that individuals who contracted COVID-19 before vaccines were available faced an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and death for up to three years following infection. Led by James Hilser, M.P.H., Ph.D.-candidate at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, the study examined health data from over 10,000 adults who tested positive for COVID-19 in 2020, comparing them to a control group of more than 200,000 individuals without infection.
The findings revealed that during the nearly three-year follow-up period, the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death was more than doubled among those who had COVID-19, and nearly quadrupled for those hospitalized with the virus. The elevated cardiovascular risk associated with COVID-19 infection was comparable to established risk factors such as Type 2 diabetes and peripheral artery disease. Even more striking, individuals hospitalized with COVID-19 who did not have pre-existing cardiovascular disease or diabetes showed a 21% greater risk of adverse cardiovascular events compared to those with cardiovascular disease but no COVID-19 infection.
The study also uncovered a genetic component to the increased risk. People with non-O blood types (A, B, or AB) who experienced severe COVID-19 infections faced an even higher risk of heart attack and stroke—approximately 65% higher than those with type O blood. Dr. Stanley Hazen, co-senior study author and chair of cardiovascular and metabolic sciences at Cleveland Clinic's Lerner Research Institute, emphasized the global significance of these findings, given that over a billion people worldwide have been infected with COVID-19. The results suggest a potential explanation for the observed rise in cardiovascular disease globally in the wake of the pandemic.
The implications of this research are far-reaching. Sandeep R. Das, M.D., M.P.H., MBA, FAHA, co-chair of the American Heart Association's COVID-19 CVD Registry committee, noted that the study's findings could influence how healthcare providers approach cardiovascular disease prevention efforts for individuals with a history of COVID-19 hospitalization, even in the absence of pre-existing cardiovascular conditions. While the study has limitations, including its focus on pre-vaccine infections and predominantly white participants, it raises important questions about the long-term health consequences of COVID-19.
The researchers suggest that severe COVID-19 infection could potentially be considered a new risk factor for cardiovascular disease, warranting targeted prevention strategies. As the world continues to grapple with the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, this research underscores the importance of comprehensive follow-up care for COVID-19 survivors, particularly those who experienced severe infections. It also highlights the need for continued research into the long-term effects of the virus on cardiovascular health and the potential for targeted interventions to mitigate these risks. The study's findings serve as a reminder of the far-reaching and long-lasting health implications of COVID-19, extending well beyond the acute phase of infection.
