Long COVID and cardiovascular disease: a prospective cohort study

Journal article

BackgroundPre-existing cardiovascular disease (CVD) or cardiovascular risk factors have been associated with an increased risk of complications following hospitalisation with COVID-19, but their impact on the rate of recovery following discharge is not known.ObjectivesTo determine whether the rate of patient-perceived recovery following hospitalisation with COVID-19 was affected by the presence of CVD or cardiovascular risk factors.MethodsIn a multicentre prospective cohort study, patients were recruited following discharge from the hospital with COVID-19 undertaking two comprehensive assessments at 5 months and 12 months. Patients were stratified by the presence of either CVD or cardiovascular risk factors prior to hospitalisation with COVID-19 and compared with controls with neither. Full recovery was determined by the response to a patient-perceived evaluation of full recovery from COVID-19 in the context of physical, physiological and cognitive determinants of health.ResultsFrom a total population of 2545 patients (38.8% women), 472 (18.5%) and 1355 (53.2%) had CVD or cardiovascular risk factors, respectively. Compared with controls (n=718), patients with CVD and cardiovascular risk factors were older and more likely to have had severe COVID-19. Full recovery was significantly lower at 12 months in patients with CVD (adjusted OR (aOR) 0.62, 95% CI 0.43 to 0.89) and cardiovascular risk factors (aOR 0.66, 95% CI 0.50 to 0.86).ConclusionPatients with CVD or cardiovascular risk factors had a delayed recovery at 12 months following hospitalisation with COVID-19. Targeted interventions to reduce the impact of COVID-19 in patients with cardiovascular disease remain an unmet need.Trail registration numberISRCTN10980107.

Authors: Lawson, CA; Moss, AJ; Arnold, JR; Bagot, C; Banerjee, A

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
• Journal: Open Heart
• Volume: 11
• Issue: 1
• Pages: e002662
• Publication date: 2024-05-27
• DOI: 10.1136/openhrt-2024-002662
• EISSN: 2053-3624
• ISSN: 2053-3624
• Pmid: 38802280
• Language: English
• Keywords: Male; Cardiovascular Diseases; Covid-19; Prospective Studies; Recovery of Function; risk factors; Middle Aged; Risk Factors; Hospitalization; Time Factors; Female; Aged; SARS-CoV-2; Cardiac Rehabilitation; Humans; COVID-19