Khaberni - A study conducted by scientists at the University of California, Los Angeles showed that contracting COVID-19 or influenza increases the risk of a heart attack for several weeks after infection.
The American Heart Association journal (JAHA) indicated that chronic viral infections, such as the HIV virus, also increase the likelihood of severe cardiovascular diseases.
Dr. Kasuki Kavai of the medical school at the University of California said: "It is known that some viruses such as the human papillomavirus and hepatitis B virus can cause cancer, but their association with non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, is still not well understood."
The researchers conducted a systematic review of more than 52,000 studies, selecting 155 high-quality studies for meta-analysis. The results showed that within one month of laboratory-confirmed influenza infection, the risk of myocardial infarction increases fourfold, and the risk of stroke increases fivefold. COVID-19 infection triples the risk of heart attacks and strokes, and the risk continues for a year.
The researchers attribute this to the fact that viral infections stimulate a strong inflammatory response and increase blood clotting, and these processes can continue even after recovery, burdening the heart and blood vessels. Moreover, inflammation promotes the formation and detachment of atherosclerotic plaques, increasing the risk of acute cardiovascular diseases.
