A recent study reveals that people who got infected with COVID-19 in 2020 may face a doubled risk of heart attacks, strokes, or early death within the next three years.
This heightened risk exists even for those who had no severe symptoms when they were sick.
However, people who were hospitalized during the first year of the pandemic seem to have an even higher chance of future health issues.
Researchers found that being hospitalized for COVID-19 in 2020 had the same impact on heart health as having coronary artery disease.
This means that people without any history of heart disease but who were hospitalized for COVID-19 are now at a higher risk for heart attacks or strokes compared to people with heart disease who didn't get COVID-19.
The study also found that blood type plays a role in this increased risk, especially for people with blood types A, B, and AB, compared to those with type O.
The research, published in the American Heart Association's journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology, didn't include data from people who were vaccinated. It only looked at those who got infected during the early stages of the pandemic.
The study tracked over 10,000 people from the UK Biobank, a large health data source, who tested positive for COVID-19 or were hospitalized between February and December 2020.
The researchers wanted to understand if getting COVID-19 was linked to long-term heart problems and whether blood type affected this risk.
The findings showed that people who caught the virus were twice as likely to have major heart problems, like heart attacks or strokes, in the three years after infection. The risk was even higher for those who were hospitalized, with a nearly fourfold increase in such events.
Blood type appeared to play a significant role, with non-O blood types being more affected.
The study's authors explain that the COVID-19 virus may cause lasting damage to the cardiovascular system. Even in people who had mild symptoms, the risk for heart issues remained higher.
Some earlier studies have shown that COVID-19 can affect up to 25% of people who are admitted to the hospital, causing various heart-related problems, including heart attacks and strokes.
Additionally, past research has shown that blood type may affect both the likelihood of catching COVID-19 and the risk of heart issues.
For example, people with type O blood seem to have a lower chance of getting infected and developing heart disease, while those with blood types A and B are more likely to experience both.
While this study didn't explore the exact ways COVID-19 might cause these heart problems, other research has offered some clues. A 2023 study found traces of the virus in the artery walls of people who died from COVID-19.
The virus had triggered inflammation in the arteries, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes. This suggests that the virus may invade artery walls, weakening them and making heart attacks or strokes more likely in the future.
Although this study wasn't a randomized trial, meaning it can't prove for sure that COVID-19 causes these problems, the strong link between infection, blood type, and future heart risk makes it likely that the virus plays a role.
Researchers say it's still uncertain whether COVID-19 directly leads to more heart attacks and strokes, but the data suggests it could.
The study raises important questions for healthcare providers. If COVID-19 increases heart risks, doctors might need to treat these patients differently in the future, especially those who were hospitalized.
For instance, doctors might consider prescribing medications to prevent heart issues for people who were hospitalized for COVID-19, similar to how they treat people with diabetes, another condition that increases heart risks.
One potential prevention strategy involves taking aspirin, which helps prevent blood clots. The study found that hospitalized COVID-19 patients who took aspirin had a slightly lower risk of heart problems than those who didn't.
However, experts recommend consulting a doctor before starting a daily aspirin regimen, as it isn't suitable for everyone.
Finally, there are steps that anyone can take to lower their heart attack or stroke risk, whether they've had COVID-19 or not. These include quitting smoking, staying physically active, eating a healthy diet, and keeping blood pressure and blood sugar levels in check.
For those who had COVID-19, being mindful of these lifestyle choices may be even more important. Even though you can't undo getting COVID-19, making healthy changes can help lower your overall risk for future heart problems.
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