Long COVID and Heart Attacks: Understanding the Connection

What is long COVID?

Most people infected with COVID 19 recover within a few days or weeks. Others may experience post-COVID conditions for as long as several months after infection. This condition is known as “post-COVID-19 syndrome”, “long COVID-19”, “post COVID conditions”, or “long-haul COVID-19”. The individuals who suffer from this condition are known as “long haulers.” Post-COVID-19 syndrome is characterised by a variety of new, recurring, or persistent symptoms that individuals experience more than four weeks after contracting COVID-19. For some people the post-COVID-19 syndrome can last for months, years, or even result in disability.

What are the  most common signs and symptoms of long COVID?

People with post-COVID conditions may experience a variety of symptoms that may persist for weeks, months, or even years following being infected. Post COVID conditions are not the same for everyone – people are likely to experience different combinations of symptoms for different lengths of time. Although the most common symptoms are physical symptoms like  fatigue and cough, new research says that long COVID condition has mental health effects

The most common COVID symptoms are:

• Fatigue
• shortness of breath
• muscle aches
• loss of smell

Other symptoms of long COVID are:

• Discomfort in the chest
• Sleeping issues
• Heart palpitations
• Dizziness
• Depression and anxiety
• Loss of appetite, diarrhoea, stomach ache
• Persistent symptoms like fever, cold, cough, change in smell or taste

Long COVID and heart attacks: Is there a link?

Recent research has established a connection between Long COVID and cardiovascular issues. COVID-19 has been observed to harm the heart muscle in some individuals, which can lead to inflammation and the development of heart disease. Long COVID patients have been found to have higher rates of abnormal blood clotting, increasing their risk of heart attack and stroke.

Additionally, Long COVID patients have been found to have higher rates of myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle, and pericarditis, an inflammation of the lining around the heart. These conditions can cause chest pain and other heart disease symptoms, and can increase the risk of heart attack.

Individuals who had recovered from COVID-19 displayed significant increases in 20 cardiovascular issues within one year of being infected. For instance, they were 52% more likely to have had a stroke in comparison to the control group, meaning that out of every 1,000 individuals studied, there were 4 additional people in the COVID-19 group who experienced a stroke.

The risk of heart failure increased by 72%, or 12 additional people in the COVID-19 group per 1,000 studied. Hospitalization elevated the probability of future cardiovascular complications, however, even those who avoided hospitalization were still at a higher risk for several conditions. (Ref. Link)

How common is long COVID?

Post-COVID conditions and the number of people who experience it are still the subject of ongoing research. The percentages reported by individuals with long COVID have varied widely. This discrepancy in numbers is because the condition is still new and scientists are still learning about it. 

• According to the CDC, 19% of adults with COVID 19 experienced long COVID in 2022.
• According to a 2022 study, people who contracted the Omicron variant were 24 to 50 percent more likely to develop long-term COVID than those who contracted the Delta variant.
• New data shows that 1 in 13 adults in the United States (7.5%) have “long COVID” symptoms, which last for 3 or more months after COVID infection.
• Women are currently more likely to have long COVID than men (9.4 % vs. 5.5%).
• People who are not vaccinated and become infected  with COVID 19 are at a higher chance of developing long COVID symptoms than those who are vaccinated.

Who is at risk for long COVID?

Anyone who is infected with COVID can develop long COVID. However, these factors make people more likely develop long COVID:

• Age – People aged 65 and older are more likely to develop long COVID than young people.
• Health conditions – People with underlying conditions like Diabetes are more prone to develop long COVID
• Gender – Women are more likely than men to develop long-term COVID.
• Psychological factors – Scientists have identified associations of anxiety, stress, distress, depression with long COVID.
• Vaccination – People who are not vaccinated have a higher chance of developing  post COVID syndrome.
•   People who have had multiple COVID-19 infections are also at a greater risk of developing long-term symptoms.

We are still understanding the long term effects of COVID, and recent research is suggesting that its impact on our cardiovascular system is significant. The best way to ensure that you heart is functioning properly is by monitoring it as closely as possible. Use a smart heart monitor like the Frontier X2 to gain access to a variety of important heart health metrics that tell you everything you need to know to stay heart healthy!

Frequently Asked Questions:

How do you know if you are suffering from long COVID?

Long  COVID usually develops 4 weeks  or later after COVID infection. If you notice symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, loss of smell, body aches, brain fog, or cough a few weeks after COVID infection, you are most likely to have long COVID.

How long does long COVID last?

While the exact duration of long Covid is unknown, the majority of long-haulers recover from COVID within 3  months of the onset of their initial COVID-19 illness. Others, however, may experience symptoms well beyond three months.

How do you treat long COVID?

Long-term COVID cannot be cured with a single medication or treatment. Long-term COVID symptoms differ between individuals. There are treatments that may assist in alleviating some of the symptoms. On the basis of the symptoms, your physician may recommend physiotherapy or psychotherapy. If the symptoms are severe, the patient will be referred to the appropriate specialist.

Other Heart Health Topics To Explore:

Stress and Heart Rate Variability | Mental Stress | Heart Rate While Running | Irregular Heartbeat | AFib Symptoms | Healthy Heart Exercise | Increased Heart rate | Arrhythmia Symptoms | Healthy Heart Diet | Endurance Training Exercise

Frontier X2:

Smart Heart ECG Monitor in USA | ECG Machine Price in India | Best Heart Rate Monitor UK