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According to a recent study, corona vaccinations may cause myocarditis and scarring. Researchers emphasize the importance of further research.
Kassel – The corona vaccinations approved in the EU since December 2020 played a central role in the fight against the pandemic. They protected many people from serious illnesses and continue to do so.
The vaccines used were mainly mRNA vaccines such as those from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. Their rapid development enabled rapid mass production. But even then, some experts expressed concerns that possible long-term effects had not been sufficiently researched.
Researchers are now investigating the long-term effects of corona vaccinations, particularly with regard to myocarditis triggered by the vaccinations.
According to a study, the long-term effects of corona vaccinations can include heart scarring © IMAGO/Zoonar.com/Kasper Ravlo
Possible heart scarring due to vaccination: mainly young men affected
Die Study investigated the long-term consequences of inflammation of the heart muscle caused by the vaccination, known as vaccine-associated myocarditis (VAM). According to the researchers, young men aged 14 to 30 are particularly affected. An excessive immune reaction to the mRNA vaccines could play a role here.
Data from people under 30 who developed myocarditis after vaccination were analyzed. The researchers examined clinical biomarkers and paid particular attention to troponin levels, which provide information about heart damage.
CMR scans were used to detect heart injuries and scarring. Troponin T, a protein from heart muscle cells, is released when heart muscle cells are destroyed, for example during a heart attack.
It is considered a reliable indicator of heart muscle damage. The value rises about three hours after a heart attack, reaches a maximum after 24 hours and falls back to normal within 10 to 14 days, according to the Professional Association of German Internists (BDI).
Caution advised: These are the symptoms of heart muscle disease
The results of the study show that around 72 percent of those affected had scarring or fluid accumulation in the heart muscle. This was often accompanied by symptoms such as chest pain, heart palpitations and shortness of breath. A study on this was already carried out several years ago.
There is no single, specific and reliable leading symptom, according to the Heart Foundation. The first signs are often perceived as general symptoms of infection and are not associated with the heart. People should be alert if symptoms such as fever, dizziness, muscle pain or diarrhea persist or recur after the infection has subsided. Typical symptoms can be:
Typical symptoms of myocarditis can be:
- Shortness of breath during exertion
- Heart palpitations
- Heart palpitations, also known as arrhythmia
- Heart pain
- inexplicable tiredness and fatigue
- physical weakness
Since the symptoms are often non-specific, diagnosis is difficult, especially in mild cases. To clarify the suspicion, the doctor first uses an ECG, X-ray and echocardiography. In the further course of the disease, a magnetic resonance imaging of the heart (cMRI) and blood tests play an important role. The troponin level in particular provides a decisive indication of myocarditis.
Late effects of corona vaccinations: Long-term monitoring of those affected is important
The scientists emphasize the importance of long-term medical monitoring of those affected in order to detect possible effects on heart health. Although the risk is considered to be low, the results raise questions about the potential long-term effects of the corona vaccinations.
Sea herzstiftung.de However, an infection with the coronavirus itself can also damage the heart and in some cases lead to myocarditis. Overall, the number of cases has increased during the pandemic: before Corona, there were eight cases per 100,000 people; during the pandemic, this figure rose to 150 to 160 cases per 100,000 people.
However, the risk of developing myocarditis as a result of a vaccination is lower.
Danger even in mild cases: Further studies needed
The researchers point out that this is a retrospective study based mainly on data from patients with severe myocarditis. However, scarring was also found in milder cases. Further studies are needed to confirm the results and clarify the exact causes.
The researchers also discovered that 95 percent of adolescent VAM patients had received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, while five percent received the Moderna vaccine.
Corona infections themselves also increase the risk of several diseases
Another study predicts an increase in Covid-19 cases in Germany this autumn. A more contagious variant of the virus is already determining the infection rate.
However, it should be emphasized that infection with the coronavirus itself can also have serious long-term consequences, such as Long Covid. Such long-term consequences, such as intestinal damage, occur in many Covid-19 patients.
What is mycarditis
Myocarditis is an inflammatory disease of the heart muscle in which viruses usually attack the myocardium, the layer of heart muscle tissue located between the endocardium (the inner lining of the heart) and the epicardium (outer lining of the heart). attack and destroy the muscle tissue. The process can affect the heart muscle locally or the entire heart muscle. The immune system can achieve healing in many cases, but sometimes it can itself contribute to tissue damage. The exact reason for this reaction is not yet fully understood.
The course and prognosis of myocarditis are difficult to predict because the type, extent and duration of the inflammation vary from person to person. Pollutants or certain medications can also activate the immune system and trigger inflammation.
The disease often occurs without typical symptoms – this often makes it difficult for doctors to detect it. With consistent physical rest, the chances are good that myocarditis will heal without further consequences. Otherwise, there is a risk that it will trigger heart failure or cardiac arrhythmia and, in the worst case, lead to sudden cardiac death, according to the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK).
But the virus itself is also dangerous for the heart. According to herzmedizin.de Overall, the numbers have risen due to the pandemic: before the appearance of the corona virus, eight people out of 100,000 developed myocarditis; during the corona period, this figure rose to 150 to 160 cases per 100,000 people. Nevertheless, heart disease as a result of a Covid-19 infection is rare.
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