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Long-COVID-19: Definition, Epidemiology, and Clinical Implications

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Cardiovascular Complications of COVID-19

Part of the book series: Contemporary Cardiology ((CONCARD))

Abstract

COVID-19 is primarily associated with acute infection, however, its presentation and degree of severity varies in individuals. Individuals at the greatest risk of long-COVID include those who experience severe symptoms of their initial infection and those who are aged >65 years, female, obese or smoke tobacco. Long-COVID presents anything up to 1-year post-initial infection and with a range of symptoms such as fatigue, muscle pain, and loss of smell. The exact cause of long-COVID is not fully conclusive but it is associated with viral tissue damage, immune, and inflammatory responses. It affects both children and adults, resulting in increased dependence on already stretched healthcare systems, negative patient outcomes and impacting on activities of daily living. Currently, there is no curative treatment for long-COVID rather symptomatic management but preventive measures via vaccination is deemed as beneficial.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics Research Group, School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK

    Alice P. McCloskey & Peter E. Penson

  2. Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Liverpool, UK

    Peter E. Penson

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  1. Alice P. McCloskey
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  2. Peter E. Penson
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Correspondence to Peter E. Penson .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Preventive Cardiology and Lipidology, Medical University of Lodz, Łódź, Poland

    Maciej Banach

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P.E.P. owns four shares in AstraZeneca PLC and has received honoraria and/or travel reimbursement for events sponsored by AKCEA, Amgen, AMRYT, Link Medical, Mylan, Napp, Sanofi.

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McCloskey, A.P., Penson, P.E. (2022). Long-COVID-19: Definition, Epidemiology, and Clinical Implications. In: Banach, M. (eds) Cardiovascular Complications of COVID-19. Contemporary Cardiology. Humana, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-15478-2_22

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-15478-2_22

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  • Publisher Name: Humana, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-15477-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-15478-2

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