Emerging research shows that COVID-19 may leave a long-lasting impact on the heart, not only in adults but also in children—who were previously considered at low risk for severe complications. Two recent studies from the United States and Poland provide compelling evidence that survivors of COVID-19 are more likely to experience cardiovascular symptoms and conditions post-recovery.
Children Face Elevated Risk of Heart Conditions Post-COVID
A study led by the University of Pennsylvania, published in Nature Communications, analyzed the health records of over 1.2 million children and adolescents from 19 U.S. children’s hospitals. Of these, 297,920 had tested positive for COVID-19 between March 2020 and September 2023. The rest served as uninfected controls.
Key findings included:
- Increased rates of high blood pressure (1.5%) vs 1.1% in controls
- Myocarditis risk jumped to 0.1% vs 0.02%
- Heart failure (1.6%) and chest pain (1.2%) were more common
- Even children without prior heart conditions showed increased risks
Notably, the risks were consistent regardless of a child’s age, obesity status, race, COVID-19 variant, or disease severity. Children with congenital heart defects (CHDs) were even more vulnerable, especially to arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation.
“These findings underscore the importance of cardiac monitoring in pediatric COVID-19 survivors, even those previously considered low-risk,” the study emphasized.
Adults Show High Incidence of Cardiac Symptoms Months After Infection
In Poland, a separate study published in BMC Infectious Diseases followed 1,080 adults three to six months after a COVID-19 infection. This included those infected with both pre-Omicron and Omicron strains. The average participant age was 56.9 years, and 75.2% were vaccinated.
Cardiac Long COVID Findings:
- 54.3% reported at least one cardiovascular symptom
- Most common symptoms: fatigue (38.9%), palpitations (17.6%), and fainting episodes (1.8%)
- Surprisingly, clinical testing (blood pressure monitoring, ECG, echocardiography) showed no major abnormalities compared to controls
The absence of observable differences on cardiac tests suggests that symptoms could stem from subclinical changes or longer-term processes not yet visible in the testing window.
Mental Health and Cardiac Symptoms: A Dangerous Connection
The study also revealed a link between mental health and cardiovascular symptoms:
- Patients with cardiac symptoms had significantly higher anxiety and depression scores.
- Elevated stress and cortisol levels were hypothesized to contribute to arrhythmias and hypertension.
Researchers believe chronic inflammation, immune dysregulation, and nervous system imbalances may explain these long COVID complications.
“Mental and cardiac health are more connected than we realized, especially in post-COVID patients,” the authors wrote.
Who’s Most at Risk for Cardiac Long COVID?
- Women
- Individuals with asthma
- Vaccinated individuals (due to survivorship bias and greater long-term monitoring)
Even those without pre-existing conditions were advised to undergo regular cardiac evaluations following COVID-19 recovery.
What You Can Do: Health Recommendations
Experts recommend:
- Pediatricians and cardiologists should monitor young COVID survivors for subtle signs of heart problems.
- Adults with lingering symptoms like fatigue, chest discomfort, or palpitations should seek cardiological evaluation.
- Holistic care models should include mental health screening for anxiety and depression.
- Patient education is critical to help people recognize warning signs and seek help early.
COVID-19’s impact extends far beyond the lungs, with significant evidence now pointing toward long-term heart complications in both children and adults. As researchers learn more about the virus’s lingering effects, public awareness and proactive health screenings will be essential in preventing and managing long-term cardiovascular risks.
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