COVID doubles the risk of a heart attack, stroke or dying up to three years later, a new study warns.

The danger is even higher among people with blood types A, B or AB who were infected with the virus compared to those with type O, say scientists.

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They reviewed data from more than 10,000 adults aged over 50, including around 8,000 who tested positive for Covid-19 from February 1 to December 31, 2020, and about 2,000 who tested positive for the virus in hospital in 2020.

A group of more than 200,000 adults who had no history of Covid infection during the same time frame and who were also taking part in the ongoing UK Biobank study were reviewed for comparison.

None of the participants were vaccinated at the time of infection because Covid-19 jabs were not yet available.

Researchers found that adults who had mild to severe Covid were more likely to have suffered a heart attack, stroke or died during the following three years.

The elevated risk of heart attack, stroke or death linked to Covid-19 infection was comparable to cardiovascular risk factors such as type 2 diabetes, peripheral artery disease and cardiovascular disease, according to the findings.

The study, published in the journal Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, also found that having a non-O blood type was associated with an increased risk of a heart attack, stroke or death among those who were infected by Covid.

The American research team say their findings suggest that people infected with Covid might benefit from cardiovascular disease prevention treatments to lower the risk of a heart attack or stroke.

Study lead author James Hilser, of the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, said: “We found a long-term cardiovascular health risk associated with Covid, especially among people with more severe Covid-19 cases that required hospitalisation.

“This increased risk of heart attack and stroke continued three years after Covid-19 infection.

“Remarkably, in some cases, the increased risk was almost as high as having a known cardiovascular risk factor such as type 2 diabetes or peripheral artery disease.”

Previous research has shown that Covid-19 increases the risk of serious cardiovascular complications within the first month after infection.

The new study examined how long the increased risk lasted and whether it subsided after recovering.

Researchers found that, during the near three-year follow-up period, the risk of a heart attack, stroke and death was more than double among adults who had Covid-19.

This risk was nearly four times greater among adults hospitalised with Covid-19, compared with those never infected with the virus.

People hospitalised with Covid, who didn’t have cardiovascular disease or type 2 diabetes, had a 21 per cent greater risk of a heart attack, stroke or dying compared to people with cardiovascular disease who didn’t get the virus.

The researchers also found a “significant” genetic interaction among the non-O blood types and hospitalisation for Covid.

Who can get an NHS Covid jab this autumn?

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THE NHS has started offering autumn Covid boosters to the most vulnerable.

Many pharmacies also now sell the Covid jab privately.

Can I get it?

The following groups can have an NHS Covid booster between 3 October and 20 December:

• over-65s
• people aged between six months and 64 years with health conditions that make them more vulnerable, including pregnant women
• people living in care homes for older people
• frontline NHS and social care workers,and those working in care homes for older people

The NHS has already contacted more than 11 million people, but those who qualify for the jab can also book their own appointments via the NHS App,, GPs, pharmacies, drop-in clinics,or by calling 119.

Anyone also entitled to the flu jab will be offered this at the same time.

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Patients who are also entitled to the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine, will not usually be given it at the same time as a flu or Covid jab.

However, pregnant women can have the RSV vaccine at the same time as the Covid jab.

People with severe Covid-19 infections had an increased risk of heart attack and stroke, but that risk was even higher in people who had non-O blood types.

The risk of heart attack and stroke was around 65 per cent higher in adults with blood types A, B or AB compared to those who had type O blood.

‘Explains the rise in heart disease’

Study co-senior author Professor Stanley Hazen, chair of cardiovascular and metabolic sciences at Cleveland Clinic’s Lerner Research Institute, said: “Worldwide, over a billion people have already experienced Covid-19 infection.

“The findings reported are not a small effect in a small subgroup.

“The results included nearly a quarter million people and point to a finding of global health care importance that may translate into an explanation for a rise in cardiovascular disease around the world.”

Study co-senior study author Professor Hooman Allayee, also of the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, said: “The results of our study highlight the long-term cardiovascular effects of Covid-19 infection.

“Given the increased risk of heart attack, stroke and death, the question is whether or not severe Covid-19 should be considered as another risk factor for cardiovascular disease, much like Type 2 diabetes or peripheral artery disease, where treatment focused on cardiovascular disease prevention may be valuable.

“The results suggest that people with prior Covid infection may benefit from preventive care for cardiovascular disease.”

Professor Sandeep Das, co-chair of the American Heart Association, said of the findings: “They show that something located close to the genetic home of ABO blood type is associated with different degrees of susceptibility to Covid.”

He added: “This is really fascinating, and I look forward to seeing scientists tease out what the specific pathway may be.”

A BREAKTHROUGH new pill could mimic the health benefits of running – but you don’t even have to leave the sofa.

Scientists at Aarhus University in Denmark developed a drug that they claim can replicate the impact of jogging at high speed for 10 kilometres.

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The pill contains a molecule called LaKe that can mimic the effect of exercise on the body’s metabolism after fasting – the practice of abstaining from food or drink for a period of time.

Exercise and skipping meals can make your heart stronger and reduces fat levels in the blood, researchers said.

Working out helps to increase levels of lactates and ketones in the body, chemicals which our body’s cells use for fuel.

This in turn can increase the production of appetite-suppressing hormones while bringing down levels of fat in the blood.

LaKe contains a chemical fusion of of lactate and ketones.

Prof Thomas Poulsen, from the Department of Chemistry at Aarhus University, said: “We’ve developed a molecule that can mimic the body’s natural metabolic response to strenuous exercise and fasting.

“In practice, the molecule brings the body into a metabolic state corresponding to running 10 kilometers at high speed on an empty stomach,” he explained.

“When lactate and ketone levels in the blood increase, the production of an appetite-suppressing hormone increases and the level of free fatty acids in the blood decreases.

“This has a number of health benefits, for example reducing the risk of developing metabolic syndrome.”

According to the professor, it’s not possible to achieve the same effect through diet alone, since lactate and ketones can’t be consumed in high enough quantities without the buildup undesirable by-products such as acid and salt.

This is where LaKe comes in, as the pill contains lactate and ketones without the harmful add ons.

Prof Poulsen said: “We have now created a molecule which allows us to artificially control the amounts of lactate and ketones safely.”

So far, the pill has only been tested on rats.

But the first clinical trials in humans are now underway at Aarhus University Hospital.

According to Prof Poulsen, the trials could pave the way for the molecule to become a nutritional supplement if they’re successful.

Scientists behind the study – published in the scientific journal: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry – said people who can’t follow a strict exercise and diet plan might find it helpful.

Dr Thomas Poulsen, a chemist at Aarhus University who led the research, said: “It can be difficult to maintain motivation to run many kilometers at high speed and go without food.

“For people with physical ailments, such as a weak heart or general weakness, a nutritional supplement can be the key to better recovery.”

According to the researchers, LaKe also has potential to ease struggles with concentration and may even be used in the treatment of serious diseases such as Parkinson’s and dementia.

These diseases are often characterised by low energy levels in the brain, which inhibit its optimal functioning, he explained.

Prof Poulsen said: “Because lactate can take over the role of glucose in the brain under stressful or traumatic conditions, there have been experiments to increase lactate levels in people with concussion.

“Patients who cannot perform strenuous exercise will benefit greatly from a drug that can boost these levels.”