
COVID-19 can cause neurological symptoms and signs of brain injury, including acute periods of confusion, post-traumatic amnesia, and delirium. While the long-term effects of the virus are still unknown, it has been found to cause blood thickening, which may lead to circulatory problems and strokes in patients with mild symptoms. A study by the Cleveland Clinic and the University of Southern California found that the risk of a major cardiac event doubled for the three-year period following a positive COVID test, even for those with no history of heart disease.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Can COVID-19 cause strokes? | Yes, COVID-19 can cause strokes in patients with mild symptoms. |
How does COVID-19 cause strokes? | COVID-19 can cause a person's blood to thicken, leading to clots that affect the lungs and kidneys and strokes that damage the brain. |
Who is at risk of a stroke after COVID-19 infection? | All ages are at risk of strokes caused by COVID-19, even those without other risk factors. |
How long does the risk last? | The risk of a major cardiac event doubles for three years after a positive COVID-19 test. |
What You'll Learn
- COVID-19 can cause neurological symptoms and signs of brain injury
- COVID-19 can cause blood to thicken, leading to clots and circulatory problems
- COVID-19 infection can double the risk of a major cardiac event for three years
- COVID-19 can cause acute periods of confusion, post-traumatic amnesia, and delirium
- COVID-19 patients are advised to report personality and memory changes for evaluation
COVID-19 can cause neurological symptoms and signs of brain injury
A study from the University of Gothenburg found that patients who required hospitalization and oxygen therapy or mechanical ventilation showed an increase in neuronal injury biomarkers. However, at the 3- and 6-month clinical follow-up, all biomarkers returned to their normal baseline values, indicating no continuous brain damage. This is encouraging for patients with long-lasting symptoms after COVID-19, as it suggests a good chance for recovery.
In the long term, it is still unknown whether patients will fully regain their prior cognitive status. Many COVID-19 survivors exhibit behaviours similar to those with brain injuries, and some experience lingering cognitive issues, such as problems with processing information, maintaining attention, and multitasking. These issues can impair their ability to return to work, and the risk is not limited to older people, as younger individuals are also at risk of strokes caused by COVID-19.
The exact mechanism by which COVID-19 causes these persistent neurological symptoms is not yet fully understood, and further research is needed to validate the scale of persisting symptoms and recovery, as well as to investigate the true cause of this condition.
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COVID-19 can cause blood to thicken, leading to clots and circulatory problems
Research has shown that COVID-19 can induce widespread clotting in the blood, which can lead to dangerous blood clots long after recovering from the initial infection. The risk of blood clots is highest within the first week of a COVID-19 diagnosis and for those hospitalized with the illness. Blood clots can break free and travel through the bloodstream, blocking blood flow to essential organs like the lungs or brain, resulting in a pulmonary embolism or stroke.
The exact mechanism behind this is still being studied, but it is believed that high levels of inflammation in response to COVID-19 may be a trigger. This inflammation is typically a protective response by the immune system, but too much can become problematic.
The risk of blood clots can also be elevated by certain pre-existing health conditions, such as coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, and blood disorders. However, it's important to note that while COVID-19 increases the risk of blood clots, the outcome is uncommon.
The good news is that there are therapies available to help prevent blood clots in COVID-19 patients, especially those who are hospitalized or have certain risk factors. These include blood-thinning medications, compression gear, and staying mobile to keep the blood circulating.
The link between COVID-19 and blood clots was observed early in the pandemic, and it has added to the understanding of COVID-19 as not just a respiratory illness but also a disease that affects the vascular system. This knowledge has important implications for treatment and prevention, with some experts recommending that medical providers consider COVID-19 as a risk factor for heart disease.
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COVID-19 infection can double the risk of a major cardiac event for three years
COVID-19 infection can have serious implications for cardiovascular health, with research indicating that the risk of a major cardiac event can double for three years following infection. This heightened risk applies even to those with no history of heart disease.
A study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) examined the long-term cardiovascular effects of COVID-19 infection. The researchers analysed data from 10,005 people aged 50 and older who had contracted COVID-19 and 217,730 who had not, all drawn from the UK Biobank. The study found that those who had COVID-19 were twice as likely to experience cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks and strokes, in the three years following infection compared to those without a history of the disease. This risk was even higher for those with severe COVID-19 cases, who were nearly four times as likely to experience such events.
The study also revealed a potential genetic component to the increased risk of heart attack and stroke in patients with severe COVID-19. Individuals with A, B, or AB blood types who were hospitalised due to COVID-19 had more than double the risk of these cardiovascular events, while those with blood type O seemed to have a lower risk of severe COVID-19 and its associated cardiovascular complications.
These findings highlight the need for medical providers to consider COVID-19 as a risk factor for heart disease. Given the global impact of COVID-19, with over a billion cases worldwide, the implications for heart health are significant. Further research is needed to determine the effectiveness of heart disease prevention strategies for patients who have had severe COVID-19 and to understand the long-term cardiovascular risks associated with the disease.
In addition to the increased risk of cardiovascular events, COVID-19 infection has also been linked to neurological symptoms and signs of brain injury. Patients may experience acute periods of confusion, post-traumatic amnesia, and delirium. The long-term cognitive effects of COVID-19 are still unknown, and it is unclear whether patients will fully regain their prior cognitive status.
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COVID-19 can cause acute periods of confusion, post-traumatic amnesia, and delirium
COVID-19 patients in intensive care units (ICUs) often experience ICU delirium, a syndrome caused by drugs, infections, lack of oxygen, and other medical reasons. These patients are often sedated to help them tolerate time on a ventilator, and they receive psychotropic drugs to promote calmness, comfort, sleep, and safety. However, these interventions can cause amnesia, confusion, and delirium.
The trauma of intensive care can trigger long-term mental health problems, and counselling is crucial to rehabilitation. Patients may experience terrifying hallucinations or delusions that feel very real. For example, they may believe they are being attacked by wild animals or that medical staff are plotting to harm them. These experiences can lead to post-ICU syndrome (PICS), causing problems with concentration, memory, and the ability to plan or organise their lives.
COVID-19 survivors may also behave like brain-injured patients, experiencing lingering cognitive issues such as difficulties with attention, complex attention, and information processing. They may struggle with multitasking and experience changes in their personalities and memories.
While the long-term effects of COVID-19 are still unknown, the virus can cause neurological symptoms and signs of brain injury. Physicians and researchers are unsure if patients will fully regain their prior cognitive status. Case managers and nurses should be vigilant in monitoring patients for personality changes, memory changes, and other signs of neurological problems, and refer them to specialists if needed.
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COVID-19 patients are advised to report personality and memory changes for evaluation
Neurological Symptoms and Brain Injury
COVID-19 is a respiratory infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. While most patients recover after treatment, there is growing evidence that COVID-19 may result in cognitive impairment. Recent studies have found that some individuals experience cognitive deficits, such as diminished memory and attention, as well as sleep disturbances. This suggests that COVID-19 could have long-term effects on cognitive function.
Mechanisms of Cognitive Impairment
COVID-19 may contribute to cognitive decline by damaging crucial brain regions, including the hippocampus and anterior cingulate cortex. In addition, studies have identified active neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and microglial activation in COVID-19 patients, indicating possible mechanisms leading to cognitive impairment.
Post-COVID Cognitive Impairment
After recovering from COVID-19, some patients have shown cognitive abnormalities, such as a decline in working memory, language expression, and executive function. Brain imaging studies have found mild abnormalities in the brain structure and function of COVID-19 patients, which may be related to cognitive decline. Structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies have found mild atrophy of the hippocampus, gray matter, and mild ventriculomegaly in some patients. Positron emission tomography (PET) studies have also found decreased glucose metabolism in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and posterior cingulate cortex.
Long-Term Effects
Large-scale follow-up studies are needed to investigate the long-term impact of COVID-19 on cognitive function. In-depth neuropathological and biological studies can help elucidate the precise mechanisms and provide a theoretical basis for prevention, treatment, and intervention research. Integrating basic and clinical research data is imperative to optimize the preservation of patients' cognitive function and quality of life.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, COVID-19 can cause stroke symptoms in patients, even those without other risk factors.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), symptoms of a stroke include:
- Sudden speaking difficulties, or difficulties understanding speech
- Sudden weakness or numbness in the arm, face, or leg, which may affect only one side of the body
- Sudden vision problems, in one eye or both, such as double vision
- Sudden loss of balance, coordination, or difficulties walking
- Sudden severe headache
A stroke is a medical emergency. If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, call emergency services immediately.
COVID-19 can cause a person's blood to thicken, leading to clots that affect the lungs and kidneys, and strokes that damage the brain.