A recent study from the University of Pennsylvania analyzed health records of over 1.2 million children in the U.S. from March 2020 to September 2023, revealing significant cardiovascular risks following COVID-19 infection.

The research indicated that infected children and adolescents exhibited higher rates of high blood pressure and heart failure compared to uninfected controls, with rates of 1.5% versus 1.1% and 1.6% versus 1.2%, respectively.

Key signs of cardiovascular issues in children include fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, dizziness, swelling in the legs, and pale or bluish skin.

The study underscores the importance of early detection of cardiovascular problems in young COVID-19 patients to enable timely treatment and prevent long-term health complications.

Authors of the study recommend educating patients about potential cardiovascular symptoms post-COVID-19 and the importance of promptly reporting any concerning symptoms.

Risk factors for developing cardiac long COVID included female gender, asthma, and prior COVID-19 vaccination, highlighting the necessity for regular cardiological check-ups for all recovered patients.

The research found that children with congenital heart defects (CHDs) faced even higher risks for cardiovascular complications than those without such conditions, although risks were present in both groups.

Obesity in children was associated with increased odds of severe heart-related outcomes, although the relationship between obesity and symptoms like chest pain was complex and warrants further investigation.

The study also established a correlation between cardiac symptoms and mental health issues, with higher anxiety and depression scores noted among those experiencing cardiac complications.

Despite the presence of cardiac symptoms, standard cardiac testing showed no significant differences between symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals, possibly due to the asymptomatic nature of some complications.

Among adults, 54.3% reported cardiac symptoms, with fatigue being the most common at 38.9% and palpitations at 17.6%, indicating a broader impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular health.

The study emphasizes the need for awareness and timely referrals for cardiovascular evaluations to mitigate long-term complications in the youth population.