Included in the study were seriously ill corona patients who were admitted to hospital during the first wave of corona from March 2020. Changes found The researchers found that the patients had experienced changes in their LDL cholesterol as a result of the disease. Such changes can influence these particles to enter and adhere to the walls of blood vessels. Cholesterol is one of the body’s fats, and is an important building block in the body. There are different types of cholesterol, one of which is LDL. It is responsible for transporting fat around the body. LDL is often called “the bad cholesterol”. because high values of LDL in the blood increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. – Patients who have had severe covid-19 have had the composition of these LDL particles changed, among other things they contain more inflammatory substances. These changes were measured 3 months after the patients were discharged from hospital, says Ida Gregersen, one of the researchers behind the study. – We therefore believe that severe covid-19 causes lasting changes in cholesterol, i.e. the body’s system for transporting fat around the body. It can give patients an increased risk of cardiovascular disease later on, she says. Knowledge of risk is important The researchers believe it is important that people who have had severe corona disease are aware of the increased risk this entails. – The fact that patients who have had severe corona have a changed composition of cholesterol in their body from having the disease is incredibly important for people to know about. We know from previous research that they have a greater risk of cardiovascular disease later in life, says Bente Evy Halvorsen, professor at UiO and one of the main researchers behind the study. By identifying people who have an increased risk, it is possible to engage in prevention. Among other things, there are effective measures aimed at people with high levels of LDL cholesterol in their blood. – The more we know, the more we can prevent and treat that risk. There are good tools to treat the risk of increased LDL cholesterol, says Halvorsen. Recommends regular check-ups She recommends that people who have had severe corona disease follow up with regular health checks at the GP. – To find out if you have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease, you can ask for a blood test, says the professor. She emphasizes that they cannot say that these patients actually get cardiovascular disease. – Environmental factors and lifestyle factors such as smoking, obesity and high blood pressure will play a role in whether this will develop further, says Halvorsen.
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Severe corona can increase the risk of heart disease – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
