US scientists have shown that COVID-19 increases the likelihood of developing myocarditis (inflammation of the heart) by 16 times, which is a strong argument in favor of vaccination. It has previously been shown that myocarditis and pericarditis are associated with Pfizer and Moderna vaccines in male and adolescent boys, but complications from coronavirus infection outweigh this risk. The research results are summarized in a press release on MedicalXpress.
During the study, experts analyzed the medical histories of 1.5 million patients with COVID-19 and 35 million patients without coronavirus infection to find out what percentage suffered from dangerous heart complications. Overall, myocarditis was rare among people with and without COVID-19, but coronavirus infection was significantly associated with an increased risk of myocarditis, with the risk varying by age group.
The increased risk of myocarditis among patients with COVID-19 was most pronounced in those under the age of 16, in whom it increased 37 times compared to people in the same age group who did not have coronavirus. Although the exact cause is not clear, it may be associated with a viral heart infection or, if the patient is less than 16 years old, with multisystem inflammatory syndrome.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US) concluded in June that the benefits of vaccination against COVID-19 outweigh the risks of vaccine-induced myocarditis, even in the highest-risk group.
