Long-Term Cardiovascular Risks Associated with Post-COVID-19 Syndrome
1Dr. Sibgha Bashir, 2Dr. Umair Arif, 3Dr. Zafar Iqbal, 4Dr. Hafiz Muhammad Maaz, 5Dr. Sabahate-Gul, 6Dr. Naveed Nayyer
1Associate Professor Pathology, Shahida Islam Medical College Lodhran
2Associate Professor Medicine, Quaid-e-Azam Medical College Bahawalpur
3Assistant Professor Cardiology, Shahida Islam Medical College Lodhran
4Assistant Professor Cardiology, CPEIC Multan
5Assistant Professor Cardiology, CPEIC Multan
6Associate Professor Medicine, Shahida Islam Medical College Lodhran
ABSTRACT:
Background: Post‑COVID‑19 syndrome has risen as an important health issue, where people feel ill after the virus passes. While doctors have examined breathing and brain problems, they seem to have paid less attention to heart trouble that may stay for months. Early reports point to a higher chance of heart inflammation, irregular beats, clots and blocked arteries after COVID‑19, which may mean the problem deserves a closer look.
Aim: The purpose was to check how often long‑term heart risks show up in patients that came to Services Hospital, Lahore, after their infection.
Methods: We did an observation study at Services Hospital from May 2024 to April 2025. Seventy people who had a positive COVID test and symptoms for at least twelve weeks were invited. All got basic heart checks, including an echo, an ECG, blood tests for heart markers and, when needed, a scan. Records were scanned for high blood pressure, odd heart rhythms, muscle injury and clot events. Simple statistics looked for links between post‑COVID symptoms and later heart problems. The design may lack a control group, which could limit the findings. Data were entered manually, which could introduce small errors. Results: Around 43 % of the group showed new or worse heart issues after the virus. Heart muscle trouble appeared in about 19 %, irregular beats in 21 %, clots in 14 % and uncontrolled pressure in 26 % of patients. About one‑third had higher troponin or NT‑proBNP, suggesting stress on the heart. Those who had been very sick with COVID‑19 seemed to have more heart events than those with milder illness, although numbers are small.
Conclusion: The study suggests post‑COVID‑19 syndrome is linked to lasting heart risks, with many patients developing structural or functional problems. Therefore, early spotting, steady follow‑up and preventive care may help lower long‑term illness and keep quality of life higher. Nonetheless, larger studies are needed to confirm these trends.
Keywords: Post-COVID-19 syndrome, cardiovascular risk, myocarditis, arrhythmia, thromboembolism, long-term outcomes.