Catching Covid can trigger killer new side effect months later, scientists discover

Covid-19 infections can trigger a killer new side effect within months, a study of more than 30,000 adults found.

Catching Covid-19 can trigger a killer side effect within just months, a new study has found.

Patients who suffered a severe bout of the virus were 16 times more likely to suffer ventricular tachycardia — a deadly type of abnormal heart rhythm — in six months.

The study by Swedish researchers tracked rates of the condition and other arrhythmias in more than 31,400 adults.

Dr Marcus Stahlberg from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm said while the overall risk of developing the condition was low, it was “much higher” in those who had severe Covid.

Patients who suffered a severe bout of the virus were 16 times more likely to suffer a deadly type of abnormal heart rhythm — within six months. Picture: Getty Images

He also warned that coronavirus patients who suffered less severe infections could also be at greater risk of the condition.

“Covid patients who need mechanical ventilation often have other conditions and adding a heart rhythm disorder may lead to worsened health,” Dr Stahlberg said.

“These patients should seek medical attention if they develop palpitations or irregular heartbeats after hospital discharge so they can be evaluated for possible arrhythmias.

“An increased risk of arrhythmias following Covid has also been reported previously in the bulk of patients not requiring ICU treatment.

Covid patients who suffered less severe infections could also be at greater risk of the condition. Picture: AFP

“Together with our new data, hospital systems should prepare for an increase in patients requiring management for new onset arrhythmias.”

The latest study, presented at the European Heart Rhythm Association congress in Barcelona, looked at how Covid affected levels of ventricular tachycardia.

Scientists tracked rates in 3023 patients who had severe Covid that were given mechanical ventilation and 28,463 individuals from the general population.

About 15.4 out of 1000 in the severe Covid group had suffered ventricular tachycardia, compared to 0.9 per 1000 in the control group.

Ventricular tachycardiac causes the organ to beat too fast and not pump enough blood around the body.

It usually affects people who have already had significant problems with their heart, including a heart attack or heart disease.

Symptoms include palpitations, chest pain or discomfort, difficulty breathing and feeling sick, however, bouts of ventricular tachycardia can be deadly and cause the heart to stop in cardiac arrest.

Previous studies have linked Covid to a range of heart problems, including heart disease, heart attack, heart failure and deep vein thrombosis.

Originally published as Catching Covid can trigger killer new side effect months later, scientists discover