Shocking 41 Percent of Long COVID Survivors Develop Dangerous Heart Rhythm Disorders, Metformin May Offer Protection
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Feb 13, 2026 1 hour, 31 minutes ago
Medical News: High Rates of Hidden Heart Rhythm Problems After Severe COVID-19
A new study from Mexico is raising fresh concerns about the long-term impact of COVID-19 on the heart. Researchers from the Unidad de Cardiología at Hospital Civil Fray Antonio Alcalde and the Instituto de Terapéutica Experimental y Clínica at the Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, have found that 41 percent of patients who survived severe COVID-19 and required hospitalization later developed cardiac arrhythmias as part of long COVID.
Long COVID survivors face a surprisingly high risk of hidden heart rhythm disorders, with metformin emerging as a potential protective therapy
Arrhythmias are abnormal heart rhythms that can make the heart beat too fast, too slow, or irregularly. In this study, 53 adults who had been hospitalized with confirmed COVID-19 were evaluated at least three months after infection. All underwent electrocardiograms, 24-hour Holter monitoring, and echocardiograms to assess heart structure and rhythm.
Atrial Fibrillation Most Common and Symptoms Often Overlooked
Of the 53 patients studied, 22 were found to have arrhythmias. The most common was atrial fibrillation, seen in 32 percent of those with rhythm problems. Other arrhythmias included sinus bradycardia, sinus tachycardia, atrial flutter, supraventricular tachycardia, and even third-degree atrioventricular block, a potentially serious conduction disorder.
Many patients reported symptoms that might easily be dismissed. Shortness of breath was present in over 80 percent of participants, while 41.5 percent experienced palpitations. Some even reported fainting or near-fainting episodes. Importantly, standard echocardiograms showed largely normal heart pumping function, suggesting that rhythm disturbances can occur even when the heart’s structure appears preserved.
Age And Longer Hospital Stays Raise the Risk
The study found that older age significantly increased the risk of developing arrhythmias. Patients with rhythm disorders were, on average, more than a decade older than those without. Each additional year of age slightly increased the odds of arrhythmia.
Another key risk factor was length of hospital stay. Patients who developed arrhythmias had stayed in hospital an average of 11 days, compared to six days in those without rhythm issues. Statistical analysis confirmed that longer hospitalization independently increased the likelihood of later arrhythmia.
This
Medical News report highlights that severe COVID-19 appears to leave a lasting electrical footprint on the heart, especially in older individuals and those who required prolonged inpatient care.
Metformin Shows Surprising Protective Effect
One of the most intriguing findings involved metformin, a commonly used diabetes medication classified as a biguanide. Patients taking metformin were significa
ntly less likely to develop arrhythmias. Statistical models showed a strong inverse association between metformin use and rhythm disturbances.
Researchers suggest that metformin’s anti-inflammatory and metabolic effects may stabilize heart cells and reduce electrical instability. The drug is known to activate AMP-activated protein kinase, reduce oxidative stress, and limit fibrosis, all of which may help prevent abnormal electrical signaling in the heart.
Interestingly, while diabetes itself is usually linked to higher cardiovascular risk, the apparent protective effect in this study seems tied to the medication rather than the disease.
What This Means for Long COVID Patients
The findings underscore the need for structured cardiac follow-up in people who survived severe COVID-19. Even months after recovery, a substantial proportion may harbor silent but potentially dangerous rhythm abnormalities.
In conclusion, this study demonstrates that arrhythmias are common among patients who experienced severe COVID-19 requiring hospitalization. Older age and longer hospital stays significantly increase risk, while metformin use may offer meaningful protection. These results emphasize the importance of cardiac monitoring in long COVID survivors and open the door for future research into preventive strategies that could reduce long-term cardiovascular complications.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Life.
https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/16/2/319
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Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/coronavirus
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/long-covid
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