An exploration of the connection between COVID-19 and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in European countries

Abstract Aim This study aims to extend the research on the connection between COVID-19 and cardiovascular disease (CVD) by exploring this link at a macro level across the continent of Europe. We aim to highlight the virus’s detrimental effects on heart health at both country and continental levels. Subject and methods Utilizing data from the SHARE survey, we investigated the heart health impacts of COVID-19 on individuals aged 50 and over in 26 European countries. A Bayesian hierarchical logistic regression (BHLR) model was employed to assess country-level and continent-level effects, enabling us to account for geographical variations and estimate the overall continental impact. Results Our findings indicate a 20% average increase in CVD risk post-COVID-19 infection, associated with other risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, chronic lung disease, and elevated BMI. Hypertension was particularly notable as a significant risk factor. Conclusions This study provides a comprehensive overview of how COVID-19 interacts with cardiovascular health risks across Europe. It reveals significant variability in the virus’s impact on heart health across different countries compared to the overall effect observed at the continental level. These insights contribute to a broader understanding of COVID-19’s implications for public health policy and individual risk management in the context of cardiovascular health.