Dangerous complications appear months after recovering from Covid-19
Experts warn that people who have been infected with Covid-19 in the past few months may experience heart complications.
New study finds people who recover from Covid-19 have a 63% higher risk of heart attack - regardless of their conditionhealthprevious and age.
The information published in the journal Nature Medicine shows the importance of vaccination to fight Covid-19. The study participants were more likely to be infected with the original virus strain or the Alpha strain (first discovered in the UK).
The risk of myocarditis and pericarditis is increased in people who are not vaccinated, experts say. Most of those analyzed had been infected with the virus beforeCovid-19 vaccination.
The analysis found that the incidence of coronary heart disease, stroke and heart failure was significantly higher in people who had had Covid-19 than in those who had not. This difference was present even in mild Covid-19 cases.
To compare, the authors looked at the course of 150,000 patients compared with 11 million people who had never been infected with the virus. They said Covid-19 can affect people longer than the time they test positive.
The risk of heart attack increased by 63% after Covid-19 infection, coronary artery disease or stroke, 72% and 52% higher, respectively.
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| Illustration: Cminj |
The UK government has invested in Post Covid-19 centres across the country, after it emerged that 20% of Covid-19 cases suffered from long-term symptoms of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Health systems around the world should be prepared to cope with the increasing burden of cardiovascular disease, experts stress.
“Due to their chronic nature, these diseases have long-term consequences for patients and health systems, impacting economic productivity and life expectancy,” they added.
French footballer Pierre-Emerick is suffering from mild heart problems linked to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. He was diagnosed with Covid-19 in January.
Bayern Munich (Germany) star, Alphonso Davies, has also stopped training with the reigning Bundesliga champions due to heart problems that occurred after contracting Covid-19. Davies discovered signs of mild myocarditis during a routine medical check-up.
Professor Paul Hunt, University of East Anglia, assessed that the risk of cardiovascular problems will likely decrease over time.
“It’s a bit like smoking. When you smoke, some of the risks increase but then decrease after you stop,” says Professor Hunt.
Vaccinated people may be at lower risk of these complications, he added, but there is no solid evidence yet.
Signs of a heart attack:
- Chest pain, burning sensation in chest
- Pain in the arms, neck, jaw, back, or stomach
- In many people, the pain is severe while in others it is just discomfort.
- Sweating
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea or vomiting.