A new study has confirmed that Covid-19 infection can significantly increase the risk of heart attacks. This conclusion comes from a comprehensive review published in 2025 by the American Heart Association, which analysed 155 high-quality studies covering viral infections including Covid-19, influenza, HIV, hepatitis C, and shingles. The research establishes that viral infections notably heighten the chances of heart attack and stroke, with Covid-19 tripling the risk of heart attack within the first few weeks after infection. The increased risk can persist for many months, even up to a year after recovery.​

Key Findings

Researchers led by Dr Kosuke Kawai, an adjunct associate professor at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine, revealed through this large-scale study that the damaging effects of viral infections on blood vessels significantly contribute to cardiovascular risk. Viral infections harm the endothelium—the delicate lining inside blood vessels—causing inflammation, blood clotting, and destabilisation of arterial plaques. These changes increase the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes shortly after infection.

The study’s findings showed that following Covid-19 infection, people are three times more likely to have a heart attack or stroke within 14 weeks. Influenza infection linked to an even higher risk, quadrupling heart attack risk within the first month. The review also highlighted that chronic infections, including HIV and hepatitis C, maintain elevated cardiovascular risks over longer periods.​

How Covid-19 Damages the Heart and Blood Vessels

Covid-19 causes direct injury to endothelial cells of the arteries, leading to inflammation and weakening of blood vessels. This damage can result in rupture of fatty plaques inside arteries, which then block blood flow and cause heart attacks. Additionally, the virus promotes increased blood clot formation, a factor contributing to both heart attacks and strokes.

Beyond direct vascular injury, Covid-19 may trigger an intense immune reaction, known as a cytokine storm, which further harms heart tissues and disrupts normal blood flow. Patients with pre-existing heart conditions or risk factors like hypertension and diabetes face amplified risks. Notably, these effects are observed even in individuals who experienced mild or asymptomatic Covid-19 infections.​

Preventive Steps and Reducing Risks

With Covid-19 clearly linked to elevated heart attack risks, healthcare experts urge vaccination against Covid-19 and influenza as primary preventive measures. Vaccines reduce the severity of infections, thereby limiting cardiovascular complications. Clinicians recommend regular cardiovascular check-ups for Covid-19 survivors, particularly those with a prior history of heart disease or cardiovascular risk factors.

Adopting heart-healthy lifestyle habits such as balanced diets, regular exercise, smoking cessation, and managing conditions like diabetes and hypertension can help mitigate risks. For some patients, cardiac rehabilitation and close medical surveillance remain necessary to manage long-term effects of Covid-19 on the heart.

What More Can Be Done?

Addressing the increased heart attack risk from Covid-19 demands stronger public health efforts focused on vaccination, early diagnosis, and patient education. Healthcare systems should prioritise identifying patients at high risk of cardiovascular events post-Covid and provide timely interventions.

Emerging research should continue to refine personalised risk assessments and develop guidelines for managing cardiovascular health in Covid-19 survivors. A combined approach of vaccination, lifestyle modification, medical follow-up, and targeted therapies will be key to reducing the pandemic’s enduring burden on heart health.

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