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Severe Infections Linked to Increased Risk of Heart Failure, Study Finds

A new study has found that adults hospitalized for severe infections, including COVID-19 and the flu, face a significantly higher risk of developing heart failure years later. The findings, published recently in the Journal of the American Heart Association, emphasize the long-term cardiovascular consequences of infections and highlight the importance of preventive measures such as vaccination.

Increased Heart Failure Risk After Infection

According to the study, individuals hospitalized due to infections were more than twice as likely to develop heart failure compared to those who had not been hospitalized for infections. Researchers followed 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 study found that, on average, heart failure developed about seven years after the initial hospitalization. The risk remained consistent regardless of the type of infection, including respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, bloodstream infections, and hospital-acquired infections.

A Call for Prevention 

“These are ‘sit-up and take notice’ findings,” said Sean Coady, deputy branch chief of cardiovascular sciences at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. While previous research has linked infections to heart attacks, this study focuses specifically on heart failure, which affects an estimated six million Americans.

One particularly concerning finding was that severe infections tripled the risk of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), a form of heart failure in which the left side of the heart becomes too stiff to function properly. HFpEF is most common among seniors over 65 and has limited treatment options.

The Role of Vaccination and Early Detection

The study underscores the importance of vaccinations against preventable infections, particularly for individuals at high risk of heart disease. Nearly half of the study participants experienced an infection-related hospitalization, underscoring the significant impact of infectious diseases on cardiovascular health.

Although the research does not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship between infections and heart failure, the findings suggest that individuals who experience severe infections should be proactive in monitoring their heart health. “People at high risk for heart disease should discuss their risks with their doctor and ensure they are taking appropriate preventive measures,” said senior researcher Ryan Demmer, a professor of epidemiology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

Future research will aim to further investigate the connection between infections and heart failure, but experts stress that individuals should take common-sense precautions, such as getting vaccinated and seeking timely medical care, to protect both their short-term and long-term health.


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