Unlocking Long COVID: The Hidden Cardiovascular Impact

**University of Queensland-led research** has uncovered key inflammatory markers in the blood of long COVID patients, potentially explaining the ongoing cardiovascular issues like chest pain and heart palpitations experienced by many. _Associate Professor Kirsty Short and her team_ focused on the elevated levels of cytokines, proteins crucial for regulating inflammation, found in blood samples about 18 months post-infection with SARS-CoV-2. Laboratory studies showed these cytokines directly impact cardiomyocytes—the heart's essential cells—potentially leading to the reported cardiovascular symptoms. The study involved 50 participants from Australia, ranging from long COVID sufferers to those never infected. Innovative 'immuno-storm chip' nanotechnology developed at UQ helped identify these subtle elevated cytokines and heart tissue damage markers. While early findings require further validation, especially considering newer virus strains, the research opens new avenues for understanding and potentially treating long COVID. The study's insights could extend to other long COVID symptoms, offering a path forward in combating this complex disease.