Researchers found that unvaccinated COVID-19 survivors face a 56 per cent higher risk of developing new heart complications one year after infection.
They gave an example of 311 people who did not have dysrhythmias - or abnormal heartbeat - before being diagnosed with COVID-19, but developed symptoms a year later.
When the researchers analysed boosted, vaccinated and unvaccinated COVID-19 survivors, and those who were uninfected, they found that there was a lowered risk with vaccinated or boosted individuals.
Vaccinated COVID-19 survivors had an 11 per cent risk of heart complications compared with uninfected individuals, while boosted COVID-19 survivors had the same risk as those who were uninfected.
The researchers also found that the risk of cardiovascular complications after being infected with COVID-19 was "evident even in mild cases who were not hospitalised".
"The findings show the importance of vaccination and boosting to attenuate potential complications of long COVID," NTU noted.
In a recent speech, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung stressed that seniors and vulnerable individuals should keep up to date with their vaccinations, with one shot at least once a year.
"As I have said before, the COVID-19 virus has not become milder since the pandemic crisis. It is us who have gotten stronger and more resilient, and that is because of vaccinations as well as safe recovery from infections," said Mr Ong on Oct 6.
"But like all protection, it will wane over time."
He also said that Singapore was experiencing another COVID-19 infection wave, with more people expected to fall sick and be hospitalised in the coming weeks.
Researchers will next focus on neuropsychiatric and respiratory complications, and the effect of long COVID on healthcare utilisation, said NTU.
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They gave an example of 311 people who did not have dysrhythmias - or abnormal heartbeat - before being diagnosed with COVID-19, but developed symptoms a year later.
When the researchers analysed boosted, vaccinated and unvaccinated COVID-19 survivors, and those who were uninfected, they found that there was a lowered risk with vaccinated or boosted individuals.
Vaccinated COVID-19 survivors had an 11 per cent risk of heart complications compared with uninfected individuals, while boosted COVID-19 survivors had the same risk as those who were uninfected.
The researchers also found that the risk of cardiovascular complications after being infected with COVID-19 was "evident even in mild cases who were not hospitalised".
"The findings show the importance of vaccination and boosting to attenuate potential complications of long COVID," NTU noted.
In a recent speech, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung stressed that seniors and vulnerable individuals should keep up to date with their vaccinations, with one shot at least once a year.
"As I have said before, the COVID-19 virus has not become milder since the pandemic crisis. It is us who have gotten stronger and more resilient, and that is because of vaccinations as well as safe recovery from infections," said Mr Ong on Oct 6.
"But like all protection, it will wane over time."
He also said that Singapore was experiencing another COVID-19 infection wave, with more people expected to fall sick and be hospitalised in the coming weeks.
Researchers will next focus on neuropsychiatric and respiratory complications, and the effect of long COVID on healthcare utilisation, said NTU.
Continue reading...