Study finds most recovered COVID-19 patients have heart issues

Though many people focus on the mortality rate of COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, health officials have warned that the virus may have long-term health consequences that largely remain unknown. One particular concern has been the infection’s potential impact on heart health, something that a new study warns may be an issue even in mild cases of the disease.

Newly published research reports that COVID-19, even in mild cases, may cause inflammation of the cardiovascular muscles that persists for months and may cause long-term heart health issues. A number of recovered COVID-19 patients have been found to experience persisting heart complications following recovery from the disease, raising concerns about the long-term impact of this virus.

The novel coronavirus has been linked to a form of myocarditis and increased odds of death among patients who have pre-existing heart issues. The two new studies build upon this, with one involving cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) to evaluate the hearts of 100 recovered COVID-19 patients. Of those 100 people, 78 were found to have heart health abnormalities.

Read Slashgear