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Cardiovascular Manifestations of Long COVID: A Review
Ethan Krug1, Keara C Geckeler2, William H Frishman3
1From the Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY.
Insights
Long COVID, or symptoms after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection, increases risks for cardiovascular events like heart disease and stroke. Further research is needed to understand these long-term effects.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- The acute phase of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (COVID) infection presents known cardiovascular issues.
- Long-term cardiovascular consequences of COVID infection, termed Long COVID, remain less understood.
- Long COVID is defined as symptoms persisting over 4 weeks post-initial infection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review risk factors, characteristics, and incidence rates of cardiovascular events in Long COVID patients.
- To explore potential mechanisms driving cardiovascular sequelae in Long COVID.
- To compare cardiovascular risks of COVID-19 with other viral infections.
Main Methods:
- Focused literature review.
- Analysis of existing research on Long COVID cardiovascular manifestations.
- Synthesis of data on cerebrovascular disease, dysrhythmias, heart disease, and thrombotic events.
Main Results:
- Increased incidence of cerebrovascular disease, dysrhythmias, ischemic and inflammatory heart disease, and thrombotic events observed in Long COVID.
- Variability in risk rates and underlying mechanisms for different cardiovascular events.
- Identification of significant gaps in current literature.
Conclusions:
- Long COVID poses a substantial risk for diverse cardiovascular complications.
- Further investigation is crucial to elucidate mechanisms and comparative risks with other viral infections.
- Understanding Long COVID cardiovascular sequelae is vital for patient management and public health strategies.
Abstract:
The acute phase of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [coronavirus disease (COVID)] infection has many well-documented cardiovascular manifestations, however, the long-term sequelae are less understood. In this focused review, we explore the risk factors, character, and rates of cardiovascular events in patients with Long COVID, which is defined as symptoms occurring more than 4 weeks following initial infection. Research has identified increased rates of cerebrovascular disease, dysrhythmias, ischemic and inflammatory heart disease, cardiopulmonary symptoms, and thrombotic events among those with Long COVID, though the risk rates and potential mechanisms behind each cardiovascular event vary. Finally, we discuss the current gaps in the literature as well as how COVID compares to other viral infections when it comes to causing long-term cardiovascular sequelae.
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