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Long term cardiometabolic outcomes in COVID positive patients

Lauren Chetty1, Poovendhree Reddy1, Sapna Ramdin2

  • 1Department of Community Health Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa.

Journal of Public Health Research
|June 15, 2026
PubMed

Insights

COVID-19 survivors in South Africa face long-term cardiometabolic complications, particularly diabetes mellitus and hypertension. This review highlights the patient burden and clinical factors of these persistent disorders post-infection.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Endocrinology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • South Africa reports over 4.5 million COVID-19 cases and 103,000 deaths.
  • Cardiometabolic risk factors like diabetes mellitus and hypertension are prevalent comorbidities linked to severe COVID-19 outcomes.
  • Long COVID is associated with new-onset cardiometabolic disorders (CMD).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the clinical factors and patient burden of diabetes mellitus and hypertension as common CMDs post-COVID-19.
  • To raise awareness of potential long-term cardiometabolic complications following COVID-19 infection.
  • To focus on outcomes observed more than three months after the acute illness phase.

Main Methods:

  • Narrative review of clinical factors and patient burden associated with COVID-19 and cardiometabolic disorders.
  • Focus on diabetes mellitus and hypertension as key cardiometabolic complications.
  • Analysis of data concerning long-term effects (beyond three months post-infection).

Main Results:

  • Diabetes mellitus and hypertension are frequently observed cardiometabolic disorders in COVID-19 survivors.
  • Long COVID symptoms are linked to the development or exacerbation of these conditions.
  • Significant patient burden associated with managing these chronic conditions post-COVID-19.

Conclusions:

  • COVID-19 poses a significant risk for developing or worsening cardiometabolic disorders, including diabetes and hypertension.
  • Awareness and management strategies for long-term cardiometabolic complications are crucial for patient recovery.
  • Further research is needed to fully understand and mitigate the long-term cardiometabolic effects of COVID-19.

Keywords:
cardiometabolic effectslong COVIDlong COVID effectsnew onset diabetes mellitusnew onset hypertensionpost COVID-19

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