NIH-funded research sheds light on link between COVID-19 infection and increased risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can directly infect the arteries of the heart and cause the fatty plaque inside arteries to become highly inflamed, increasing th

NIH-funded research sheds light on link between COVID-19 infection and increased risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke.

SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can directly infect the arteries of the heart and cause the fatty plaque inside arteries to become highly inflamed, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke, according to a study funded by the National Institutes of Health. The findings, published in the journal Nature Cardiovascular Research, may help explain why certain people who get COVID-19 have a greater chance of developing cardiovascular disease, or if they already have it, develop more heart-related complications.

In the study, researchers focused on older people with fatty buildup, known as atherosclerotic plaque, who died from COVID-19. However, because the researchers found the virus infects and replicates in the arteries no matter the levels of plaque, the findings could have broader implications for anybody who gets COVID-19.

  • cmbabul@lemmy.worldEnglish
    11·
    1 year ago

    Heart disease runs in my family, and I’m getting older for sure, but my ticker has always been in pretty good shape. Since getting COVID in 2020 my heart rate has periods where the rhythm is all over the place. Scares the shit out of me and my dr says everything looks fine.

    • Drusas@kbin.social
      2·
      1 year ago

      You may need something like a holter monitor to be able to pick up on intermittent symptoms like that. Requires seeing a cardiologist. They put a little device on your chest and leave it there for a week or two then analyze the results.

    • RaoulDook@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      I had some scary times with irregular heartbeat when I was sick with covid this year. I have been to the cardiologist about it, and they say I’m fine too. It went away after I got well, somewhere around 2+ weeks from initial symptoms.

      The 2nd and 3rd covid vaccine also caused the same issue but shorter duration. I had significant side effects from it and it was very unpleasant.

      This research is very interesting stuff relevant to all of the above. Now I wonder what the cause of the vaccine’s side effects were and how it could be related. It shouldn’t be “infecting” anything like they said the virus is infecting plaque.