COVID-19 Causes Blood-Fat Disorders

Medical News: A recent study led by researchers at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, USA, involving over 200,000 adults, has revealed an alarming link between COVID-19 and an increased risk of blood-fat disorders. This condition, known as dyslipidemia, involves abnormal lipid levels in the blood and serves as a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack and stroke. The findings show a 29% rise in the risk of developing dyslipidemia following COVID-19 exposure, with older adults and people with type 2 diabetes experiencing a nearly two-fold increase in risk.


COVID-19 Causes Blood-Fat Disorders

“Given the widespread impact of the pandemic, this sharp increase in dyslipidemia risk is a global concern,” said Dr. Gaetano Santulli, associate professor of medicine and molecular pharmacology at Einstein and lead author of the study. "Based on these findings, we recommend regular lipid level monitoring, especially for older adults and individuals with diabetes."
 
This Medical News report highlights the essential findings and implications of the research, detailing how COVID-19 may influence blood fat levels and impact long-term health.
 
The Rising Health Concern of Dyslipidemia Post-COVID-19
Dyslipidemia refers to an imbalance in blood lipid levels - typically cholesterol and triglycerides - which can lead to the buildup of fatty deposits in arteries, increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Before the pandemic, an estimated 53% of U.S. adults already had dyslipidemia, making it a widespread health issue. With COVID-19 now linked to a 29% increase in dyslipidemia cases, the proportion of Americans at risk may rise to around 68%.
 
The study examined data from more than 200,000 adults in Naples, Italy, comparing the rate of dyslipidemia in the years preceding the pandemic (2017–2019) with the incidence during the pandemic (2020–2022). By excluding individuals with a prior dyslipidemia diagnosis or those on lipid-lowering medications, researchers could closely observe the rise in new cases during the COVID-19 period. The data showed a distinct increase, particularly among older adults and those with chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension.
 
Long-Term Implications of COVID-19 on Blood-Fat Health
Previous studies led by Dr. Santulli and his team had already shown that COVID-19 increased the risk of new cases of hypertension and type 2 diabetes. They discovered that the risk of these conditions remained high even three years after the pandemic. Notably, their earlier analyses revealed a rise in cholesterol levels, prompting a deeper investigation into COVID-19’s role in dyslipidemia.
 
The findings of this new study suggest that COVID-19 has broader health implications than previously thought. Other research has also shown that the virus is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular events, including heart attacks and strokes, for up to three years after infection. Addressing dyslipidemia could, therefore, be an essential step in reducing cardiovascular disease risk for COVID-19 survivors.
 
Dr. Santulli commented, "Our study didn’t focus on whether participants tested positive for COVID-19 but instead measured the pandemic's overall impact on the population by comparing dyslipidemia rates before and after COVID-19 emerged." By comparing the same group of people over time, the researchers demonstrated that the rise in dyslipidemia was likely linked to the virus.
 
How COVID-19 May Contribute to Blood-Fat Disorders
The exact mechanism by which COVID-19 increases dyslipidemia risk remains unknown, but researchers propose several possible explanations. One theory, derived from Dr. Santulli’s previous work, suggests that the SARS-CoV-2 virus disrupts the function of endothelial cells. These cells, which line the blood vessels throughout the body, play a crucial role in regulating blood lipids. By affecting these cells, COVID-19 may contribute to the observed increase in blood-fat disorders.
 
The study’s findings align with those from other research, which has shown that COVID-19 survivors face long-term risks for cardiovascular issues. The link between dyslipidemia and cardiovascular disease reinforces the importance of addressing lipid imbalances to reduce the likelihood of severe health outcomes in those previously infected with COVID-19.
 
Researchers Call for Expanded Health Monitoring
Researchers emphasize the importance of monitoring lipid levels in adults of all ages, especially in those with a history of COVID-19 infection. The potential benefits include early detection and timely intervention to address dyslipidemia, which may, in turn, help to prevent severe cardiovascular complications.

In light of the results, Dr. Santulli suggests establishing routine lipid monitoring protocols, particularly for elderly adults and patients with pre-existing health conditions. This approach could help to identify lipid abnormalities early and provide guidance on lifestyle and medical interventions to manage dyslipidemia effectively.
 
Expanding Research on COVID-19’s Impact on Heart and Metabolic Health
Dr. Santulli and his team are now expanding their research to explore how COVID-19 affects the broader spectrum of cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic (CKM) health. This area of study, known as CKM syndrome, involves four interconnected health conditions - heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, and obesity. Researchers believe that these conditions may share common pathways, such as endothelial dysfunction, that could be exacerbated by COVID-19.
 
The ongoing research is designed to uncover how COVID-19 may influence the development of CKM syndrome, potentially providing further insight into the long-term effects of the virus on cardiovascular and metabolic health. The findings could pave the way for new approaches to managing these interconnected conditions in COVID-19 survivors.
 
Further Details of the Study and Contributing Institutions
The study, titled “A six-year study in a real-world population reveals an increased incidence of dyslipidemia during COVID-19,” included contributions from experts at various institutions. These include Stanislovas S. Jankauskas, Ph.D., and Fahimeh Varzideh, Ph.D., from Albert Einstein College of Medicine, as well as Pasquale Mone, M.D., Ph.D., from Einstein and Molise University, Campobasso, Italy. Additional collaborators included Valentina Trimarco, Raffaele Izzo, Maria Virginia Manzi, Maria Lembo, Paola Gallo, Giovanni Esposito, and Francesco Rozza, all affiliated with the Federico II University of Naples, Italy, and Roberto Piccinocchi from Vanvitelli Hospital, Naples, Italy.
 
The research further involved Carmine Morisco and Bruno Trimarco from the International Translational Research and Medical Education (ITME) Consortium and Federico II University of Naples, as well as Gaetano Piccinocchi from the Italian Society of General Medicine. Mario Fordellone and Giuseppe Signoriello from Campania University, Naples, Italy, also contributed to the study.
 
Conclusion: A Call to Action for Health Monitoring Post-COVID-19
The study’s findings underscore the necessity for healthcare providers and policymakers to consider COVID-19’s long-term impact on health. The sharp increase in dyslipidemia rates during the pandemic points to the potential for a lasting public health challenge, as more people may be at risk for cardiovascular complications in the years to come. By implementing widespread lipid monitoring and promoting proactive healthcare, especially among high-risk groups such as seniors and individuals with diabetes, the healthcare system can better manage the secondary effects of COVID-19.
 
This study, one of the first of its kind to evaluate the broader population effects of COVID-19 on blood lipid health, highlights the need for continued research into the long-term health consequences of the pandemic. Health systems worldwide must adapt to these findings, ensuring that patients receive adequate monitoring and care for emerging health risks associated with COVID-19.
 
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: The Journal of Clinical Investigation.
https://www.jci.org/articles/view/183777
 
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