AHA to fund research on long-term impact of COVID-19 on heart, brain health
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The American Heart Association announced a $10 million initiative to fund studies of long-term effects of COVID-19 on heart and brain health.
The grants will fund projects studying the basic mechanisms underlying cardiac, vascular and cerebrovascular complications in patients with COVID-19, as well as why some people experience effects of COVID-19 beyond the standard recovery time, according to a press release from the association.
“While COVID-19 was initially thought to be a disease only of the respiratory system, it quickly became evident that its effects were not limited to any one system of the body. Cardiovascular complications in aggregate have commonly been reported among COVID-19 patients and most often include blood clots, heart inflammation known as myocarditis, disruption of the heart rhythm, heart failure and heart attacks,” Svati H. Shah, MD, MS, MHS, FAHA, professor of medicine and associate dean for genomics in the division of cardiology at Duke University School of Medicine, said in the release. “Frequently reported symptoms in patients who have effects long after their initial COVID infection have cardiovascular-related aspects including fatigue, chest pain and shortness of breath. The patients also report effects on the central nervous system, including both psychological effects such as anxiety and depression, as well as cognitive effects such as confusion and deficits of memory and concentration. But we have a lot still to learn through rigorous research to understand long COVID.”
Applications are due by Feb. 1, and awards will be announced in March. Information on how to apply can be found at professional.heart.org/en/research-programs/strategically-focused-research/long-covid-cv-consequences-grant.
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