Virus threat to obese patients

According to the results of a new study, obesity may complicate the outcome of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) by leading to deadly blood clots in the lungs.

The researchers found that obese patients with COVID-19 had three times the risk of developing pulmonary embolism.

Poorly managed pre-existing cardiovascular disease, more common in older, obese patients, could also make COVID-19 worse.

The good news is that by detecting a pulmonary embolism early on, doctors can prescribe anticoagulation treatment to minimise problems. Hospitalised obese patients with COVID-19 should therefore be given a blood test to measure any increase in clotting, and, if needed, be placed on a blood thinner, the researchers say.

Obesity may make COVID-19 worse as it is associated with an increase in inflammation, which worsens the risk of clotting. Inflammation is at the root of a dangerous inflammatory cascade called a cytokine storm.

“The complications of COVID-19 that we have been seeing are inflammation and a cytokine storm, which causes inflammation in the arteries and blood clots throughout the body, and obesity is a culprit in many older, highrisk patients,” a researcher said.

Many COVID-19 complications, it appears, are caused by excessive clotting, and starting patients on blood thinners may become a standard treatment to help them recover.

• Johanita Louw farms vegetables and has had a lifelong interest in holistic nutrition. Email her at farmersweekly@caxton.co.za. Subject line: Holistic health.