New study warns of COVID-19 impact on cardiovascular health
New study warns of COVID-19 impact on cardiovascular health
(Web Desk) - A recent study shows that a significant number of people who develop coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) may experience serious cardiovascular complications. Moreover, some possible treatments of the respiratory disease could end up harming cardiovascular health.
As they assessed data from people who received medical care for COVID-19, researchers recently started paying attention to the relationship between the disease and cardiovascular symptoms.
In April, the journal Radiology published several studies showing a link between COVID-19 deaths and the occurrence of blood clots that impair circulation, an issue that increases the risk of life threatening medical events.
Meanwhile, a review of available evidence indicates that COVID-19 is sometimes associated with serious cardiovascular outcomes, including heart failure and heart attacks, as well as blood clots.
The researchers assessed the evidence presented in 45 studies that mentioned COVID-19 and a potential link with cardiovascular effects.
In the existing research, the investigators found associations between COVID-19 and myocardial injury, heart attacks, acute heart failure, abnormal heartbeats, and venous thromboembolism — or blood clotting.
Dr. Brady and colleagues write that, based on the evidence, myocardial injury with an elevated level of troponin, a key protein, “may occur in 7–17% of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 and 22–31% of those admitted to the intensive care unit.”
Myocardial injury refers to heart problems associated with an abnormally high level of troponin, a protein involved in the regulation of heart muscle contractions.
In addition, the researchers say that people with COVID-19 may also face a risk of heart attacks and that heart failure may already be present in a significant number of people who enter the hospital with COVID-19.
Finally, the investigators note that, according to the evidence so far, people with COVID-19 have “an increased risk” of blood clots forming inside blood vessels, an important risk factor for strokes.
