Study author Dr. Maria Luisa Lucien, from Brussels University Hospital, explained: “The results could help explain why some patients with Covid-19 continue to suffer from shortness of breath a year after they contracted the epidemic, as this could be related to a decrease in the performance of the heart. “.
Maria revealed the results of her study Thursday at a virtual meeting of the European Society of Cardiology, UPI news agency reported.
The study included 66 patients, average age 50, who had no history of heart or lung disease before they were admitted to hospital with COVID-19 between March and April 2020.
A year after leaving the hospital, 35 percent of patients in the statistical sample still suffer from shortness of breath during any physical activity.
All patients underwent imaging of the lungs and heart, including a new imaging technique called ‘myocardial action’, which provides more accurate information about heart function than previous methods, the researchers said.
The results showed poor heart performance in people who suffer from shortness of breath compared to those who do not suffer from it.
The study authors noted that there was also an association between abnormal heart function and persistent shortness of breath.
And the researchers noticed, using ultrasound, the presence of slight abnormalities in the heart that may explain the persistence of shortness of breath.
And the scientists called for the necessity of requesting a quick evaluation from a cardiologist in the event of feeling short of breath after a period of recovery from Corona, due to the possibility of heart damage due to infection.
.