A recent study has issued a warning to individuals who have contracted Covid-19 within the last three years. According to the study, having had Covid-19 can double the risk of experiencing a heart attack, stroke, or even death up to three years after infection. The risk is particularly heightened for individuals with blood types A, B, or AB compared to those with blood type O. The research analysed health and genetic information from over 10,000 British adults over the age of 50, including around 8,000 who tested positive for Covid-19 between February and December 2020, and approximately 2,000 who were hospitalised due to the virus in the same year. A group of more than 200,000 adults without a history of Covid infection during the study period was also included for comparison. Notably, none of the participants had been vaccinated against Covid-19 at the time of infection as vaccines were not yet available.
The study revealed that individuals who had mild to severe cases of Covid-19 were more likely to experience heart attacks, strokes, or death in the following three years. The heightened risk of these cardiovascular events was comparable to risk factors such as Type 2 diabetes, peripheral artery disease, and cardiovascular disease. Research published in the journal Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology also indicated that non-O blood types were associated with an increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, or death among those infected with Covid-19. The study’s lead author, James Hilser from the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, pointed out that the increased cardiovascular risk persists for years after Covid-19 infection, especially in cases requiring hospitalisation. The findings suggest that individuals who had Covid-19 may benefit from cardiovascular disease prevention treatments to reduce the risk of heart attacks or strokes.
Moreover, the study found that the risk of heart attacks, strokes, or death was more than doubled among adults who had Covid-19 compared to those who had never been infected with the virus. This risk was nearly four times higher for adults hospitalised due to Covid-19. The research also identified a significant genetic interaction between non-O blood types and Covid hospitalisation, with individuals possessing blood types A, B, or AB facing a 65% higher risk of heart attacks and strokes compared to those with type O blood. The study underscores the long-term cardiovascular effects of Covid-19 infection and suggests that individuals with a history of the virus may benefit from preventive cardiovascular care.
Professor Stanley Hazen, chair of cardiovascular and metabolic sciences at Cleveland Clinic’s Lerner Research Institute, highlighted the global health significance of the findings, emphasising the potential impact on cardiovascular disease rates worldwide. Professor Hooman Allayee from the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine stressed the importance of considering severe Covid-19 as a cardiovascular disease risk factor akin to Type 2 diabetes or peripheral artery disease, indicating the potential value of cardiovascular disease prevention treatments for individuals with prior Covid-19 infection. The study’s results have significant implications for healthcare interventions and underscore the importance of ongoing research to understand the long-term health effects of Covid-19.
In summary, the study’s findings underscore the need for continued monitoring and preventive care for individuals who have had Covid-19, particularly those with non-O blood types. The research highlights the importance of recognising Covid-19 as a potential risk factor for cardiovascular disease and the value of tailored preventive interventions to mitigate long-term health risks associated with the virus.