People who have previously tested positive for Covid-19 may be at higher risk of developing a number of other health problems, according to a new study.
The research found that 20 cardiovascular health conditions - including a higher risk of suffering a stroke, heart failure, angina and cardiac arrest - were more likely in those with past coronavirus infection.
Even those who did not suffer with severe symptoms when infection with Covid were found to be at risk.
The study also suggested that those who required hospital treatment due to the virus were at greater risk of developing a range of further health problems, reports Wales Online.
People who have been infected with the virus were found to face a 72 per cent higher risk of heart failure after 12 months.
Around 45 more people per 1,00 going on to develop at least one of the 20 conditions when compared to those who have never had the virus.
Ziyad Al-Aly, the senior study author and chief of research at the VA St Louis Health Care System, said: “We found an increased risk of cardiovascular problems in old people and in young people, in people with diabetes and without diabetes, in people with obesity and people without obesity, in people who smoked and who never smoked.
“What really worries me is that some of these conditions are chronic conditions that will literally scar people for a lifetime. It’s not like you wake up tomorrow and suddenly no longer have heart failure.”
What are the 20 conditions?
- TIA
- Atrial fibrillation
- Sinus tachycardia
- Sinus bradycardia
- Ventricular arrhythmias
- Atrial flutter
- Pericarditis
- Myocarditis
- Acute coronary disease
- Myocardial infarction
- Ischemic cardiomyopathy
- Angina
- Heart failure
- Non-ischemic cardiomyopathy
- Cardiac arrest
- Cardiogenic shock
- Pulmonary embolism
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Superficial vein thrombosis
What the research doesn't show, however, is if Covid vaccines have an impact on the figures - as the research period ended before jabs were rolled out. Several studies have since shown that the Omicron variant of coronavirus is generally milder than other strains, particularly among those who have been vaccinated.
Health experts continue to state that vaccines offer the best form of protection against the virus, with recent data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) showing that booster jabs significantly reduce the risk of death with Omicron.
Dr Mary Ramsay, Head of Immunisation at UKHSA, said: “The evidence is clear – the vaccine helps to protect us all against the effects of Covid-19 and the booster is offering high levels of protection from hospitalisation and death in the most vulnerable members of our society.
“The pandemic is not over yet and the vaccine is the best way to increase your protection against the serious consequences of this virus – please book your appointment for your first, second or third vaccine without delay.”
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