Berhampur: A recent study published in the ACS Pharmacology and Translational Science journal revealed that Covid-19 survivors face increased risk of heart attack and stroke due to the virus’s impact on heart muscles and blood vessels.
The researchers found that SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory coronavirus-2) interferes with the ACE (Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme) 2 protein, which is a crucial component in cardiovascular function.
“This interaction significantly weakens the heart’s ability to function effectively, potentially leading to severe cardiovascular complications in Covid-19 survivors,” said Parth Sarthi Sen Gupta, associate professor at DY Patil International University (DYPIU) Pune, one of the three scientists who conducted the study.
Other scientists associated with the study — ‘Spike Protein-Fibrinogen Interaction: a novel immune evasion strategy of SARS-CoV-2′ — were Saroj Kumar Panda of the University of Texas, Arlington, USA, and Shashi Singh, DYPIU, Pune. Panda and Sen Gupta are former research scholars of Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Berhampur.
Covid pandemic has left a profound impact on global health, affecting millions worldwide. While most discussions have focused on respiratory complications, a growing concern has emerged regarding the surge in heart-related ailments in post-Covid recovery. Many survivors reported increased incidents of heart attack and stroke, but the exact reason behind this alarming trend remained elusive.
“Our study confirmed that the spike virus of SARS-CoV-2 binds with the ACE2 protein found in the heart muscles and blood vessels. This interaction weakens the heart, impairing its ability to function efficiently,” said Sen Gupta.
Once the virus is inside the human body, it also interacts with fibrinogen, a crucial blood protein responsible for clot formation. “This binding leads to an increase in blood clot formation, disrupting normal circulation and significantly raising the risk of heart attacks,” he added.
The research highlighted another troubling aspect — that the interaction dampens the immune response of the body, making recovered patients more vulnerable to infections in the long run. “This immune evasion mechanism explains why some individuals experience persistent health issues even after recovering from Covid-19,” Sen Gupta said, adding that the findings will assist healthcare professionals in monitoring post-Covid cardiovascular complications more effectively.