Harmful cardiac phenotypes are associated with increased susceptibility from getting the virus.
A recent study published in the journal Clinical and Experimental Research of Aging has found that people with unhealthy heart structures and poor functioning may be at a much higher risk of becoming infected with the COVID-19 virus. The study was conducted by researchers from Queen Mary University of London, in collaboration with the Medical Research Council’s Career Epidemiology Unit.
“There is a lot of uncertainty at the moment about the relationships between the heart and COVID-19. Our work adds a new perspective to this issue, helping to inform patient care and strategies. public health, ”Steffen Petersen, professor of cardiology at Queen Mary, the University of London, which led the project, said: definitely. “
Researchers behind the study used data from the UK’s comprehensive and international Biobank database which includes health and genetic information from over half a million participants from across the UK. The information also includes detailed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the hearts as well as links to COVID-19 test results from Public Health England.
The study analyzed data from 310 participants to see if prior features of cardiac anatomy and function were associated with obtaining a positive test for COVID-19.
Results from the study showed that, for people with previously unhealthy heart structures and worse heart function, a positive COVID-19 test was much more likely. Even after describing possible predictive factors such as age, gender, ethnicity, poverty, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and previous heart attack, it appeared that the important relationship.
“This national collaboration and the wealth of information available in the UK Biobank database allowed for a very detailed analysis, providing a fresh and unique perspective on the complex interactions between the UK Biobank. heart and COVID-19, ”Nick Harvey, Professor of Rheumatology and Clinical Epidemiology at MRC LEU, University of Southampton, who led the work, said. “It demonstrates the importance to the University of Southampton and the MRC LEU of our contribution to the leadership of the great, modern multi-disciplinary images. Explore as part of the world-leading UK Biobank specialty facility. “