A new study from Umeå University in Sweden, published in the European Heart Journal Open, sheds light on the increased risk of heart rhythm disturbances in individuals who have contracted COVID-19.
This research, one of the largest of its kind globally, adds to the growing body of evidence on the cardiovascular impacts of the virus.
The study’s lead author, Ioannis Katsoularis, a cardiologist at the University Hospital of Northern Sweden in Umeå, emphasizes the critical role of vaccination against COVID-19.
He points out the need for healthcare systems to identify and treat those at higher risk of such complications promptly.
Researchers discovered that post-COVID-19 patients could experience various heart rhythm problems. These include tachycardias, where the heart beats too fast, and bradyarrhythmias, where the heart beats so slowly that a pacemaker might be necessary.
The findings reveal a significantly heightened risk of atrial fibrillation and flutter up to two months post-infection. In the first month following infection, the risk is 12 times higher than in people without COVID-19.
Moreover, a specific type of tachycardia, paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, showed a fivefold increased risk in the first month, extending up to six months post-infection.
For bradyarrhythmias, the risk was tripled in the first month and remained elevated for up to 14 days following infection.
A key aspect of this study is its focus on identifying which individuals are most at risk. The research showed that older individuals, those with severe COVID-19, and unvaccinated people faced higher risks, especially during the pandemic’s first wave.
Anne-Marie Fors Connolly, who leads the research group at Umeå University, notes that infection severity emerged as the strongest risk factor.
This extensive study utilized large national registers in Sweden, including over 1 million individuals who tested positive for COVID-19 and a control group of more than 4 million.
The study’s scale makes it one of the world’s most comprehensive investigations into the link between COVID-19 and heart rhythm disturbances.
These findings build on previous research by the Umeå University team, which demonstrated that COVID-19 increases the risk of blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes.
Overall, this study underscores the broader health implications of COVID-19, particularly in cardiovascular health, and highlights the importance of preventive measures like vaccination.
If you care about COVID, please read studies about Vitamin D deficiency linked to severe COVID-19, and how diets could help manage post-COVID syndrome.
For more information about COVID, please see recent studies about new evidence on rare blood clots after COVID-19 vaccination, and results showing zinc could help reduce COVID-19 infection risk.
The research findings can be found in the European Heart Journal Open.
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