Coronavirus has been linked to heart health problems in hospital patients, according to new research.
The study, which examined the clinical long-term effects of Covid-19, found that one in eight people who were hospitalised with Covid between May 2020 and March 2021 were later diagnosed with myocarditis - or heart inflammation.
Findings uncovered that hospitalisation with Covid-19 was found to cause a number of long-term health problems.
Led by the University of Glasgow with the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHS GGC), the study followed 159 patients after they were hospitalised with Covid-19 for one year - and compared their health to those in a control group of individuals of similar age, sex and medical background.
Results also found that exercise ability and health related quality of life were noticeably impaired after discharge from hospital and lasted as long as two months – this was more apparent in patients with heart inflammation.
The study also looked at why some patients suffer long-term ill health after hospitalisation with Covid-19.
Until recently, it has been speculated that previous pre-existing health problems may be linked to the severity of post-Covid long-term effects.
But this study suggests that it is the severity of the Covid-19 infection itself which is most closely linked to the severity of a patient’s long-Covid symptoms, rather than underlying health conditions.
Professor Colin Berry, principle investigator of the CISCO-19 study and professor of Cardiology and Imaging at the University of Glasgow, said: “One of the most important findings of the CISCO study is that it is the severity of a patient’s COVID-19 infection – not their underlying health conditions – that is most closely correlated with the severity of any ongoing health outcomes post discharge.
"We found that previously healthy patients, without any underlying health conditions, were suffering with severe health outcomes, including myocarditis, post hospitalisation.
“The reasons for this are unclear, but it may be that a healthy person who is hospitalised with COVID-19 is likely to have a worse Covid infection than someone with underlying health conditions who is hospitalised.
"More work needs to be done here to understand the risks, and also on how we can better support patients who have ongoing health outcomes after being hospitalised with Covid-19.”
Those suffering from long Covid have reported experiencing a wide range of symptoms, including fatigue, memory loss, and even visual hallucinations.
Last month, the Scottish government lifted the last of coronavirus restrictions as officials said the country has entered "a new phase" of the pandemic.
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