COVID-19 has been linked to cardiac complications and greater risks for those with pre-existing cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, little is known about how these risks vary across ethnicities.
Dr Marta Pineda-Moncusi, lead researcher of a new study published in Nature Communications explained: ‘In the UK, COVID-19 mortality rates have been higher among Asian, Black, and Mixed ethnic groups compared to the White population, highlighting significant public health concerns. However, although COVID-19 has been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular complications, the variations in these outcomes across ethnicities remain unclear.’
The research analysed health data on over 5 million individuals in England and 450,000 in Wales who had a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis between January 2020 and April 2022. The team was investigating the risk of severe outcomes of COVID-19 including mortality and cardiovascular disease (CVD) among patients from different ethnic backgrounds.
In line with previous findings reported by the UK Office of National Statistics, the study found that most non-White ethnic groups in England and Wales, particularly the Bangladeshi and Pakistani populations, faced significantly higher COVID-19 mortality rates compared to White British individuals. For example, Bangladeshi men showed a 120% increased risk of mortality during certain periods.
Explored for the first time, the researchers showed that non-White groups also had a higher risk of developing CVD within 30 days of a COVID-19 diagnosis. Notably, Pakistani and Bangladeshi individuals consistently exhibited higher CVD incidence rates throughout the study period.
During the Omicron variant wave, data shows that mortality decreased in the UK. But this study indicated that CVD risk remained high for certain ethnic groups suggesting that while the immediate threat of mortality may have fallen, long-term health implications persist.
This pattern held true even after accounting for factors like age, deprivation, vaccination status, and underlying health conditions.
Dr Sara Khalid, principal investigator, said: ‘Health inequity is multifaceted and often underpinned by a complex interplay of factors, including but not limited to race and ethnicity, sex, and socioeconomic status, environment, and other social determinants of health. Underlying disparities were particularly exacerbated and highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic, and these data from the national health records of millions of people in the UK indicate that certain ethnic minority groups continued to face disproportionate cardiovascular complications after COVID-19 infection.’
The researchers also highlighted the importance of using granular, detailed ethnicity data, rather than broad categories. Drilling down into 19 specific ethnic subgroups in England revealed significant heterogeneity, with some Asian and Black subgroups faring much worse than others.
‘These nation-wide studies are made possible through the advent of population-level data, high-performance compute and complex modelling tools including AI. And it underscores the importance of leveraging granular data to really understand the diverse health needs of different communities,’ said Sara. ‘This would help in the development of healthcare strategies that are effective for all communities.’