Study Finds That SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Positivity Appears to be Associated with an Increased Risk of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy

Medical News: A Closer Look at How COVID-19 Immunity May Impact Heart Health
Recent research conducted by a team of scientists from The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China, and the Affiliated Hospital of Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, China has revealed a possible link between SARS-CoV-2 antibody positivity and an increased risk of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), a condition that leads to the thickening of the heart’s main pumping chamber. The study was published in Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine and provides valuable insights into the potential long-term effects of COVID-19 immunity - whether from natural infection or vaccination - on cardiac health.


Study Finds That SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Positivity Appears to be Associated with an Increased Risk of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy

The Need to Understand COVID-19’s Impact on the Heart
SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, is widely known for its impact on the respiratory system. However, mounting evidence suggests that the virus can also cause significant damage to the cardiovascular system. This Medical News report highlights a new dimension to the ongoing discussions about the virus’s effects on heart health: even individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 or have received vaccines may experience changes in their cardiac structure.
 
Left ventricular hypertrophy is a concerning development because it is often associated with heart failure, arrhythmias, and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The researchers aimed to evaluate whether individuals who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies exhibited any notable changes in their heart’s structure and function.
 
How the Study Was Conducted
The study used data from the UK Biobank, a large-scale biomedical database that tracks health parameters of volunteers over time. The researchers focused on 720 participants who had undergone cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging after 2019 and had self-reported SARS-CoV-2 antibody test results. Of these, 453 individuals tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, while the remaining 267 participants served as a control group.
 
To ensure accuracy, the researchers used propensity score matching (PSM), a statistical technique that helps minimize differences between groups, leaving 261 individuals in each category. They then compared a variety of heart-related parameters, including left ventricular volume, wall thickness, myocardial mass, cardiac output (CO), and cardiac index (CI).
 
Key Findings of the Study
-Cardiac Output and Cardiac Index Decreases
Over an average follow-up period of 110 days, the study found a significant decline in cardiac output (CO) and cardiac index (CI) among seropositive individuals compared to their seronegative counterparts.
 
CO represents the total volume of blood pumped by the heart per minute, and CI adjusts this value based on body size.
 
These declines suggest that even after recovery or vaccination, individuals may experience reduced heart efficiency, which could contribute to long-term cardiovascular complications.
 
-Increase in Myocardial Native T1 Values
The study also measured native T1 values, which indicate myocardial tissue changes and can be a marker for fibrosis or inflammation.
 
The results showed that seropositive individuals had significantly higher native T1 values (860.01 ± 47.81 ms vs. 852.77 ± 53.55 ms, P=0.012), suggesting a potential increase in cardiac tissue abnormalities.
 
-Increased Risk of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy
One of the most concerning findings was the higher incidence of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in seropositive individuals.
 
Using logistic regression analysis, the researchers determined that SARS-CoV-2 antibody positivity was associated with a 3.257 times increased risk of LVH (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 3.257, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.036–10.239, P=0.043).
 
This means individuals with SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, whether from previous infection or vaccination, were more likely to develop a thickened left ventricular wall, which can lead to reduced heart efficiency and potential cardiovascular disease in the long run.
 
What These Findings Mean for Public Health
The implications of this study are significant, as they raise concerns about potential long-term heart health risks associated with SARS-CoV-2 antibody positivity. While vaccination is essential for preventing severe COVID-19 illness, and natural immunity provides some level of protection, this research suggests that post-infection and post-vaccination monitoring of heart health should be considered, particularly for those at risk of cardiovascular disease.
 
Limitations and Future Research
While these findings are compelling, the researchers acknowledged several limitations:
 
-The study could not distinguish between natural infection-induced antibodies and vaccine-induced antibodies. Future research should explore whether there are differences in cardiac outcomes between these two groups.
 
-The follow-up period was relatively short (around 110 days on average), and longer-term studies are needed to understand whether these cardiac changes persist or worsen over time.
 
-The study relied on self-reported antibody status, which may introduce some reporting biases.
 
Further research is required to determine the precise mechanisms behind these observed cardiac changes and to develop strategies for early detection and management of SARS-CoV-2-related cardiovascular effects.
 
Conclusion
This study adds to the growing body of evidence indicating that SARS-CoV-2 may have long-lasting effects on the heart, even after recovery or vaccination. The observed decline in cardiac function, increase in myocardial fibrosis markers, and heightened risk of left ventricular hypertrophy highlight the need for continued cardiovascular monitoring in individuals with SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.
 
However, these findings remain exploratory, and more long-term, large-scale studies are needed to fully assess the long-term cardiovascular consequences of SARS-CoV-2 exposure and immunity.
 
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine.
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cardiovascular-medicine/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2025.1462263/full
 
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Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/post-covid-individuals-with-shortness-of-breath-chest-pain-or-palpitations-were-found-to-have-left-ventricular-dysfunction
 
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/australian-study-using-echocardiographic-assessment-shows-that-many-post-covid-individuals-have-left-ventricular-dysfunction
 
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/study-finds-that-one-third-of-recovered-covid-19-individuals-exhibit-subclinical-ventricular-dysfunction-of-the-heart
 
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