Study reveals COVID-19 infection doubles risk of heart attack or stroke for up to three years

A recent study indicates that COVID-19 infection may increase the risk of heart attack or stroke for up to three years. Research from the University of Southern California examined the long-term risks for patients who contracted the virus during the first wave of the pandemic in 2020, a period before vaccines were available.

The findings reveal that those who contracted COVID-19 had double the risk of experiencing a heart attack or stroke compared to those who remained uninfected. Among patients who required hospitalization due to severe COVID-19, the risk was over three times higher than that of healthy individuals.

While the impact of COVID-19 on heart health has been extensively studied, long-term effects have not been well understood. This new research contributes valuable insight, indicating that the elevated risk of cardiovascular events persists for more than three years post-infection. Researchers drew comparisons to the increased risk associated with type 2 diabetes.

The study analyzed health data from hundreds of thousands of individuals within a UK database, including 11,000 who had contracted the virus, with 3,000 requiring hospitalization. Their health information was compared with data from over 200,000 healthy individuals. The results were published in the journal Atherosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology.

In Finland, fall vaccinations for at-risk groups are currently underway. Reports indicate a decline in the eagerness to receive the vaccine among at-risk individuals in regions like South Karelia. Despite this, health officials warn that the virus continues to circulate and can have severe consequences for some.

The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare recommends booster shots for elderly residents in nursing homes or home care, individuals over 75, and those of all ages with severe immune deficiencies. Vaccination is also advised for everyone over 65 and individuals over 18 with conditions that increase the risk of severe illness, while healthy individuals are not recommended to receive the booster.