It doubles the risk of heart failure.
A recent study highlights the significant risk to heart health posed by severe infections like COVID-19 or the flu, showing that hospitalization due to infection can lead to an increased risk of heart failure years later.
Published on January 30 in the Journal of the American Heart Association, the study reveals that adults hospitalized with a severe infection are more than twice as likely to develop heart failure within several years. This research reinforces the importance of vaccinations and preventive measures during the cold and flu season to protect heart health.
The study tracked nearly 14,500 adults aged 45 to 64 over a span of 31 years, from 1987 to 2018. None of the participants had heart failure at the start of the study. The findings showed that those who were hospitalized for an infection had a 2.35 times higher risk of developing heart failure about seven years later. The risk remained consistent across various types of infections, including respiratory, urinary tract, and bloodstream infections, as well as those acquired during a hospital stay for another condition.
One of the most concerning findings was that severe infections significantly increased the risk of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), a form of heart failure that primarily affects seniors. This condition, where the left side of the heart becomes too stiff to relax fully between heartbeats, has few treatment options. Nearly half of the participants in the study experienced at least one infection-related hospitalization, underscoring the widespread impact infectious diseases have on heart health.
Although the study could not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship between infections and heart failure, it suggests that individuals, particularly those at higher risk for heart disease, should take precautions to prevent severe infections. Researchers emphasize that further studies are needed to solidify the connection between infections and heart failure and to explore ways to mitigate these risks.
Discussion about this post