New York, NY (May 6, 2025) — Patients suffering from long COVID may exhibit persistent inflammation in the heart and lungs for up to a year following SARS-CoV-2 infection\u2014even when standard medical tests return normal results\u2014potentially placing them at elevated risk for future cardiac and pulmonary conditions. These findings come from a new study conducted by researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and published April 30, in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine<\/i>. <\/p>\n
The study, the largest of its kind using advanced PET\/MRI imaging, discovered significant abnormalities in cardiovascular and pulmonary tissues, as well as altered levels of circulating immune-regulating proteins, in long COVID patients. These abnormalities could serve as early warning signs of diseases such as heart failure, valvular heart disease, and pulmonary hypertension. <\/p>\n
\u201cLong COVID has emerged as a major public health challenge, and the long-term sequelae remain largely undefined,\u201d says corresponding author Maria G. Trivieri, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine (Cardiology), and Diagnostic, Molecular and Interventional Radiology at the Icahn School of Medicine. \u201cThis study brings us closer to understanding how SARS-CoV-2 affects the heart and lungs over time. We believe long COVID results in an inflammatory response that may predispose patients to premature coronary artery disease, pulmonary hypertension, and valvular damage such as stenosis or regurgitation.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cSince 2020, we have been publishing work showing that even mild or asymptomatic COVID infections can have serious cardiovascular consequences, even in previously fit and healthy individuals,\u201d says David Putrino, PhD, the Nash Family Director of Mount Sinai\u2019s Cohen Center for Recovery from Complex Chronic Illness. \u201cThis paper provides more data to highlight that SARS-CoV-2 is a virus that profoundly affects vascular health and that every new infection can do damage. Infection prevention is crucial.\u201d <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
New York, NY (May 6, 2025) — Patients suffering from long COVID may exhibit persistent inflammation in the heart and lungs for up to a year following SARS-CoV-2 infection\u2014even when standard medical tests return normal results\u2014potentially placing them at elevated risk for future cardiac and pulmonary conditions. These findings come from a new study conducted by researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and published April 30, in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine<\/i>. <\/p>\n
The study, the largest of its kind using advanced PET\/MRI imaging, discovered significant abnormalities in cardiovascular and pulmonary tissues, as well as altered levels of circulating immune-regulating proteins, in long COVID patients. These abnormalities could serve as early warning signs of diseases such as heart failure, valvular heart disease, and pulmonary hypertension. <\/p>\n