COVID-19 May Raise Blood Clot Risks for Months: Study 

News Desk

Islamabad: Recovering from Covid-19 may not mean the end of health risks, as a new study has found that infected individuals can remain at increased risk of serious blood-related complications for several months after the illness.

The research, published in The BMJ, found that Covid-19 patients face a higher likelihood of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot usually occurring in the legs, for up to three months after infection. The risk of pulmonary embolism, a potentially life-threatening clot in the lungs, may remain elevated for up to six months, while the risk of major bleeding events can continue for up to two months.

Researchers from Umea University in Sweden said the findings highlight the need for greater attention to preventing blood clots, particularly among people with severe Covid-19 or existing health conditions.

The study analysed health records of more than one million people who tested positive for Covid-19 between February 2020 and May 2021. Their outcomes were compared with more than four million people who had no confirmed infection.

The results showed that within 30 days of infection, Covid-19 patients experienced a five-fold higher risk of deep vein thrombosis, a 33-fold higher risk of pulmonary embolism, and nearly double the risk of bleeding compared with those who were not infected.

The researchers noted that the risk was greatest among patients who developed severe forms of Covid-19 and during the early phase of the pandemic. They suggested that improved treatment methods and wider vaccine availability may have contributed to lower risks during later waves.

Importantly, the study also found that even patients with mild Covid-19 who were not hospitalised faced an increased risk of certain blood clot complications, although a significant rise in bleeding risk was mainly observed among more severe cases.

The researchers cautioned that the study was observational and could not prove that Covid-19 directly caused these conditions. However, they said the findings support preventive measures against clotting complications for high-risk patients and underline the continued importance of vaccination.

The study adds to growing evidence that Covid-19 can have effects beyond the initial infection period, requiring ongoing medical awareness among recovered patients.