Researchers from the University of Queensland (UQ) have found a potential reason why many people with long COVID experience ongoing heart issues, such as chest pain and palpitations.
The study, led by Associate Professor Kirsty Short, examined blood samples of long COVID patients and discovered high levels of inflammatory proteins called cytokines.
These proteins, which normally help manage inflammation, were still elevated in the blood of patients 18 months after their initial COVID infection.
Dr. Short explained that these trace levels of cytokines appeared to affect heart cells known as cardiomyocytes, which are essential for the heart’s pumping function.
Damaging these cells could lead to various cardiovascular problems, potentially explaining why long COVID patients often report persistent heart-related symptoms.
The study, published in Nature Microbiology, analyzed the blood of 50 people across Australia, including those who had long COVID for over a year, those who had recovered from COVID, and people who had never contracted the virus.
The research team used advanced “immuno-storm chip” nanotechnology to detect even small traces of these inflammatory proteins, along with markers indicating damage to heart tissue.
This tool, developed at UQ’s Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), allowed the team to examine blood samples at a single-molecule level.
Dr. Short noted that this is one of the first studies to reveal the impact of long-lasting inflammation on heart health for those with long COVID, particularly those with symptoms lasting over a year.
While these results are promising, further studies are needed to confirm the findings, especially among patients affected by newer COVID variants.
The team is also interested in exploring whether these inflammatory markers could help explain other long COVID symptoms, such as neurological or respiratory issues, though this study mainly focused on patients with chest pain and palpitations.
The study’s authors, including UQ Ph.D. students Jane Sinclair and Courtney Vedelago, hope that these insights will improve the diagnosis and treatment of long COVID.
The research involved a collaboration across multiple institutions, including UQ’s School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, and several other universities and health networks.
While more research is needed, this study highlights the lasting impact of COVID-19 on heart health and offers a new path for understanding and addressing long COVID symptoms.
