Can Cholesterol Levels Increase Long COVID Risk?

People with long-COVID symptoms were found to have higher levels of low-density lipoprotein (bad cholesterol) and unhealthy fatty acids.

People with higher levels of harmful fats (bad cholesterol) are at higher risk of developing heart disease and are more likely to experience ongoing symptoms from both COVID-19 and non-COVID disease.

The findings are based on data from //the ZOE Health Study app by King’s College London.

Heart Defects can Raise Differences in COVID-19 Severity
People with heart defects who contracted COVID-19 were more likely to require treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU) or need a ventilator.

‘People with long-COVID symptoms were found to have higher levels of low-density lipoprotein (bad cholesterol) and unhealthy fatty acids.’

Blood Markers in COVID Patients

The scientists analyzed blood markers from 4,787 people and compared them with those living in the community, where the majority of people with COVID have been treated.

The blood markers in asymptomatic people had a healthier pattern that is associated with a lower risk of heart attacks and diabetes. The people with long-lasting symptoms showed higher levels of ’bad cholesterol’, and unhealthy fatty acids, the team said

The analysis also showed that those with COVID symptoms for more than 28 days could not be clearly distinguished from those with non-COVID illnesses of prolonged duration. Both had a set of compounds in their blood commonly seen in patients who are at risk of heart disease and diabetes.

COVID-19 In Karnataka: 9,894 New Cases, 104 Deaths Reported
Karnataka reported 9,894 new coronavirus positive cases on Sunday taking the overall tally to 4,59,445 while 104 deaths pushed the toll to 7,265.

Experts said this association could mean that research looking at ways to treat other diseases might also play a role in COVID.

"We saw a clear difference in blood fats of people who had had asymptomatic COVID-19 compared to those with long-lasting symptoms," said Dr. Marc Osterdahl, clinical fellow and lead author at King’s.

Up to 559,000 COVID-19 Deaths Could be Reported: CDC
530,000 to 559,000 COVID-19 deaths will be reported in the US by March 13, according to the latest projections of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

"We were able to look at whether changes we saw were specific to COVID or whether they reflected something more general about prolonged symptoms. What is interesting is that we saw the same pattern of harmful fats in people with long symptoms in COVID and non-COVID disease," added Dr. Claire Steves, co-author and lead researcher in the ZOE Health Study.

"We think this might shed light on the experience of long COVID, and other conditions, where people take time to recover from illness," Steves said.

COVID-19 Disrupts Families: Know More
Family therapy and individual psychotherapy for both parents and kids can be helpful for households struggling with adjustments in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Source-IANS