Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand medical News Team Dec 16, 2025 6 hours, 15 minutes ago
Medical News: A surprising health warning emerging after COVID-19 infections
A new large-scale study has revealed that COVID-19 may quietly increase the risk of serious metabolic health problems even among young, fit, and previously healthy individuals. The research focused on active-duty U.S. military personnel, a group known for strict fitness standards and regular medical monitoring, making the findings particularly concerning. The study suggests that COVID-19 can leave behind metabolic damage that is not immediately visible but may develop months after infection.
COVID-19 may quietly raise blood pressure, cholesterol and liver disease risk months after recovery
Who conducted the study and where the research was based
The research was led by scientists from the Department of Pediatrics at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, and the 87th Medical Group at Joint Base McGuire Dix Lakehurst. These institutions analyzed extensive U.S. Military Health System data covering hundreds of thousands of service members.
How the study was carried out
Researchers examined medical records of more than 103,000 service members who had COVID-19 and compared them with over 207,000 similar individuals who had never been infected. Participants were aged between 18 and 65, with a median age of just 26 years. The team tracked new diagnoses for up to one year after infection, focusing on conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and fatty liver disease. This
Medical News report highlights that the researchers carefully excluded anyone who already had these conditions before COVID-19 to ensure the results reflected new health risks.
What metabolic problems were discovered
The findings showed that people who had COVID-19 were significantly more likely to develop high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, a form of fatty liver disease. These risks appeared even though most participants were young, physically active, and not obese. Notably, the study did not find a significant increase in new cases of type 2 diabetes or full metabolic syndrome within the first year, suggesting that some metabolic effects may take longer to appear or affect other populations more strongly.
Why COVID-19 might affect metabolism
Scientists believe the virus may disrupt metabolism through inflammation and damage to organs involved in regulating blood pressure, fats, and liver function. SARS-CoV-2 uses a receptor called ACE2 to enter cells, and this receptor is found in the liver, blood vessels, and other metabolic organs. Even after recovery, lingering inflammation may interfere with how the body processes fats and controls blood pressure, slowly increasing disease risk.
Why these findings matter beyond the military
Although the study
focused on military personnel, the implications extend to the general public. If young, healthy individuals can develop metabolic problems after COVID-19, older adults or those with existing risk factors may face even greater dangers. The delayed nature of these conditions means many people may feel fine for months before problems are detected during routine checkups.
What doctors and individuals should watch for
The researchers stress the importance of regular health screening after COVID-19 recovery. Monitoring blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and liver health could help detect problems early. Maintaining a healthy weight, staying physically active, and following balanced diets remain crucial, as obesity and overweight status were still strong predictors of metabolic disease.
Key takeaways for long term health awareness
This study reinforces growing evidence that COVID-19 is not always a short-term illness. Even mild infections may carry long-lasting consequences that quietly reshape metabolic health. Awareness, early screening, and preventive care could play a vital role in reducing future cardiovascular and liver disease linked to COVID-19.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Metabolites
https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/15/12/795
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Medical News.
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/coronavirus
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/long-covid
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