Health
Heart attack and stroke risk may rise after COVID infection, study finds
A prior COVID infection could make you more susceptible to heart attack, stroke or death, according to a new study from Cleveland Clinic and the University of Southern California.
The risk of a major cardiac event doubled for the three-year period following a positive COVID test, researchers found — even for those with no history of heart disease.
The researchers analyzed data from 10,005 people 50 and older who had COVID and 217,730 who did not contract the virus, pulled from UK Biobank between February and December 2020.
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The study, which was funded by the National Institutes of Health, was published in the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology.
“These studies add to the growing body of data showing that COVID-19 infection can enhance risk for experiencing adverse cardiac events over time,” co-senior study author Stanley Hazen, MD, PhD, chair of cardiovascular and metabolic sciences in Cleveland Clinic’s Lerner Research Institute and co-section head of preventive cardiology, told Fox News Digital.
The researchers were surprised to find that the increased risk remained the same over the three-year period.
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“The twofold increased risk observed in year one following infection was also seen in year two and even year three,” Hazen noted.
“This was seen in all subjects, independent of age, sex or risk factors for cardiac disease.”
Those who had more adverse symptoms experienced a slightly higher risk than those with milder symptoms.
“Specifically, subjects who had severe COVID-19 infection and required hospitalization were at even higher risk of experiencing a major adverse cardiac event (MACE=myocardial infarction, stroke or death) over the ensuing three years of follow-up,” Hazen said.
Blood type also appeared to impact the risk, the study found.
People with a blood type other than O — such as A, B or AB — had double the risk of a major cardiac event than those with an O blood type.
“This study confirms what many of us have seen anecdotally over the past five years.”
Those with O blood have also been shown to have a higher likelihood of getting a COVID infection.
“Given our collective observations and that 60% of the world’s population have these non-O blood types, our study raises important questions about whether more aggressive cardiovascular risk reduction efforts should be considered, possibly by taking into consideration an individual’s genetic makeup,” Hazen said in a press release.
Dr. Bradley Serwer, a cardiologist and chief medical officer at VitalSolution, a Cincinnati, Ohio-based company that offers cardiovascular and anesthesiology services to hospitals nationwide, was not involved in the research but commented on the “interesting” findings.
“This study confirms what many of us have seen anecdotally over the past five years,” he told Fox News Digital.
“Since the outbreak began, we have seen cardiac complications to include inflammation of the heart, a propensity to form blood clots and an increase in abnormal heart rhythms, particularly atrial fibrillation.”
“The lead author, Dr. Hazen, has some fascinating theories that I assume will be tested in the future.”
Reducing the risk
Based on these findings, Hazen recommends that medical providers consider COVID-19 as a risk factor for heart disease.
“Heart disease is the number one killer worldwide,” he noted.
“With over a billion individuals worldwide having experienced COVID-19 thus far, these studies argue that this is not a small problem — and I hope this serves as a reminder to address global preventive cardiovascular risk-reducing efforts.”
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Among those efforts are monitoring cholesterol levels and blood pressure, adopting an exercise program, and being more mindful of diet.
“Please let this study be a reminder — if you are 50 or older and have experienced COVID, ask if you can do anything further to reduce your cardiac risk,” Hazen advised.
“Also, make sure to stay current with your COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters.”
More research needed, experts agree
The study did have some limitations, experts acknowledged.
“These findings signal the need for further investigation,” Hazen said.
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“A better understanding of what COVID-19 does at the molecular level may potentially teach us about pathways linked to cardiovascular disease risk.”
Serwer agreed, adding, “This study shows an association, but does not prove causality.”
Health
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Paralyzed man's medical miracle, plus hurricane health effects and nutrition warnings
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Health
WWII veteran, 95, still works out at local gym every week: 'I'm in control'
There’s no excuse for skipping the gym when America’s veterans are still getting after it.
David Scott, a 95-year-old World War II veteran from Dover, New Hampshire, still works out at his local Planet Fitness every week.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Scott emphasized the importance of exercising regularly and taking advantage of the ability to move your body.
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“It makes me feel good,” he said. “Like I’m in control of my body and my muscles understand that I’m in control.”
Every other day, Scott completes a 30-minute, full-body workout at Planet Fitness, using a series of machines to target his shoulders, legs and stomach.
The veteran’s advice to younger people looking to incorporate physical activity is to “just do it” at least three times a week.
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“You’ll feel better if you do it,” he said. “It helps your balance as well as your muscle tone.”
In 1945, Scott joined the U.S. Army at 17 years old, just one day before WWII came to an end.
He has fond memories of his time at Fort Dix in New Jersey, noting that he served with a “very tough group.”
“And a very, very friendly group,” he said. “I enjoyed it very much.”
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With his G.I. Bill benefits, Scott attended Harvard University, where he studied philosophy and joined the wrestling team.
Growing up, Scott played baseball, but the Harvard wrestling team is where he thrived and gained his varsity letter.
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“I wrestled the captains of the Princeton team and the Yale team,” he said. “I lost both, but I had the Yale captain in a pinning hold … He won just by an inch.”
Scott also stayed active through a series of jobs, including with his local sewer department, before moving to Denver, Colorado, where he worked as an accountant on a construction project.
But he most enjoyed hiking through Colorado’s mountains and running along its rivers.
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“I thought, ‘I’m going to live another 30 years, or 40 years, and I might as well enjoy life,’” he said. “Colorado is a beautiful place.”
While Scott sees staying active as key to living a healthy and meaningful life, he also credits his longevity to his marriage to wife Lydia Vergani, who he met on a ski trip in Milan in 1961.
Vergani, an Italian skier who qualified for the Olympics, was “much faster” at skiing than Scott was – and he confirmed it was love at first sight.
“She was very friendly,” he said. “She was very athletic.”
The two were engaged two weeks later, when Scott was 33 and Vergani was 24, and they got married in September 1962.
“We had so much in common,” Vergani told Fox News Digital. “A love for opera and adventure.”
Throughout 62 years of marriage, the couple has stayed active together through hiking and walking, Scott said.
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