NIH Study Links Early COVID-19 Infection to Long-Term Heart Risks (Unvaccinated Participants)
This NIH-funded study investigated the long-term cardiovascular effects of COVID-19 in unvaccinated individuals infected during the pandemic’s first wave (original virus strain).
Key Findings:
- Unvaccinated individuals with COVID-19 had double the risk of heart attack, stroke, or death compared to those without COVID-19.
- This risk was even higher (4 times) for those who experienced severe COVID-19 requiring hospitalization.
- The elevated risk persisted for up to three years after the initial infection.
- The study suggests a possible genetic link between blood type and severe COVID-19 complications. Patients with A, B, or AB blood types had a higher risk of heart attack or stroke after hospitalization for COVID-19 compared to those with type O blood.
Limitations:
- The study only included participants from the UK Biobank (mostly white population).
- It’s unclear if these findings apply to those infected later in the pandemic or vaccinated individuals.
- The mechanism behind the blood type and COVID-19 severity link needs further investigation.
Overall, this study highlights the potential long-term cardiovascular consequences of early COVID-19 infection and suggests the need for further research on the impact of vaccination and blood type.