A study published in the journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes revealed that risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as obesity, smoking, and diabetes, rather than pre-existing heart disease, are the main contributors to death and poor outcomes among critically ill COVID-19 patients.

In the study, patients with cardiovascular disease were found to have a higher mortality rate of 30% in comparison to critically ill COVID patients without a pre-existing condition. However, when the risk factors were adjusted, including age, sex, race, smoking, and others, the relationship was no longer statistically significant.

The study conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan in the US analysed outcomes for more than 5,100 patients admitted to intensive care units at 68 centres, out of which 1,174 had either pre-existing coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, or atrial fibrillation.

The findings of the analysis revealed that a total of 34.6% of patients died within 28 days and nearly 18% suffered a cardiovascular event, such as cardiac arrest or myocarditis. The researchers also claimed that the patients with the highest troponin measurements were nearly three times more likely to die than those without myocardial injury.

(Source: https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/health/smoking-diabetes-obesity-bigger-risk-factors-for-covid-death-than-heart-ailment-study-440927 )