Daniel Smith – The Mirror Dec 27, 2023

Covid-19 could trigger a ‘heart failure pandemic’, experts have warned, calling it a ‘global healthcare risk’. The rise in Covid cases, especially due to the new strain known as JN.1, could lead to potential heart issues.

Scientists from Japan’s top research institute, Riken, have issued a new report. They say the ACE2 receptors, which the coronavirus clings to within human cells, are ‘very common’ in the heart. This means many people who catch the virus may suffer from ‘reduced cardiac function’.

The reason for this is still not clear. However, the report suggests the Covid pandemic might have changed things significantly. It warns those at risk of future heart failure due to ‘persistent infection of SARS-CoV-2 (Covis-19) is expected to exponentially increase’.

The report states: “Even though conclusive clinical evidence that persistent SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with declined cardiac function has not been reported so far, the proof-of-concept study of the possibility of SARS-CoV-2 persistent infection of the heart and the potential risk of opportunistic progression of heart failure should be validated by a three-dimensional human cardiac tissue model which would serve as the alarm bell for a global healthcare risk.”

Riken research leader Hidetoshi Masumoto said: “Some people infected with Coronavirus may have persistent viral infections in their hearts. A testing system and treatment methods must be established in preparation for a ‘heart failure pandemic,’ in which we will see a rapid increase in the number of heart failure patients. The explosive increase in the number of virus-infected patients due to the COVID-19 pandemic may have led to an enormous increase in the number of patients at potential risk for future heart failure. These patients would be predicted to maintain cardiac function superficially despite being at marginal risk.”

The latest warning comes with Covid cases significantly spiking in the US as millions of people prepared to travel for the holiday season, with the fast-spreading JN.1 variant making up 44 percent of all cases nationwide. The latest analysis from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows this has more than doubled from its share earlier this month

Officials are also worried the rising number of flu cases could lead to a big increase in illnesses this winter, especially with crowded New Year’s celebrations coming up.

Michael Osterholm, an expert on diseases and director at the University of Minnesota, told KIRO7: “JN.1, which we’re now seeing, is one that clearly is spreading very quickly around the world. And there’s evidence that it is actually causing (an) increased number of illnesses. And particularly in some who have already had Covid before or may have been vaccinated before.”

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