RSV may raise risk of in-hospital cardiac events than flu, Covid in adults: Study

IANS May 23, 2025 356 views

A groundbreaking study from Singapore reveals surprising cardiac risks associated with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Researchers discovered that RSV patients experience significantly higher rates of in-hospital cardiac events compared to flu and Covid-19 patients. The study analyzed over 32,000 adult hospitalizations, finding that approximately 11% of RSV patients suffered acute cardiovascular complications. These findings underscore the importance of understanding RSV's potential cardiovascular impacts beyond traditional respiratory symptoms.

"One in 10 patients hospitalised for RSV had a concurrent acute cardiovascular event" - JAMA Network Open Study
New Delhi, May 23: People with RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) infection are more likely to suffer from in-hospital cardiac events than those with flu or Covid-19, according to a study.

Key Points

1

Singapore researchers analyzed 32,960 adult hospitalization cases

2

RSV patients showed higher cardiac event risks than flu/Covid

3

Preexisting cardiac history increases vulnerability

4

Abnormal heart rhythms most common cardiac complication

Researchers at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases in Singapore conducted a nationwide study among 32,960 adults hospitalised for an RSV, flu, or Covid infection.

They compared the risk of cardiovascular events (any cardiac, cerebrovascular, or thrombotic event) and intensive care unit (ICU) admission with or without a cardiovascular event among the patients.

Of the 32,960 adult patients, 6.5 per cent had RSV, 43.7 per cent had flu, and 49.8 per cent had Covid.

The findings, published in JAMA Network Open, showed that about 11 per cent of RSV patients had a cardiovascular event.

“One in 10 patients hospitalised for RSV had a concurrent acute cardiovascular event. Odds of cardiac events were significantly higher in RSV vs Covid-19 hospitalisations in both vaccine-boosted and unboosted individuals,” the team wrote in the paper.

The study showed that a total of 1,037 patients (3.2 per cent) required ICU admission. Of the 2,148 RSV patients, 10.9 per cent experienced an acute cardiovascular event, 94.1 per cent of which involved cardiac events (99 abnormal heart rhythm, 66 heart failure, and 61 ischemic heart disease episodes).

The most common type of abnormal heart rhythm was atrial fibrillation or flutter (60.6 per cent). A history of cardiac disease was linked to a more than double likelihood of an acute cardiovascular event among RSV patients compared with those with flu or Covid-19.

A higher probability of an abnormal heart rhythm, heart failure, and other cardiac events was also seen in RSV patients than in Covid patients who did not take booster doses. Lower odds of cerebrovascular events, however, were noted in RSV patients than in vaccine-boosted Covid patients.

Individuals with a preexisting cardiac history were found to be at higher risk of acute cardiac events during RSV hospitalisation.

"Cardiac manifestations of RSV are hypothesised to arise directly from myocardial injury or indirectly via a post-inflammatory response and increased cardiovascular strain attributed to pulmonary disease," the researchers said.

They stressed the importance of evaluating the role of vaccination in attenuating the risk of cardiovascular events associated with vaccine-preventable respiratory viral infections.

Reader Comments

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Priya K.
This is really concerning! We've been so focused on Covid and flu that RSV went under our radar. In India with our high pollution levels and existing heart disease burden, this could be dangerous. Government should create awareness campaigns about RSV like they did for Covid.
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Rahul S.
Interesting study but sample size seems small for Indian context. Our population is 20x Singapore's. Would like to see similar research done in Indian hospitals - our tropical climate and different lifestyle factors might show different results. Still, good to be aware!
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Anjali M.
My father was hospitalized last winter with breathing trouble - doctors said it was RSV. Now reading this, I wonder if his irregular heartbeat was connected 😟 We need better testing facilities in smaller towns to identify such cases early.
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Vikram J.
Study highlights importance of vaccination but where is RSV vaccine in India? We're always late in adopting new medical advancements. First Covid vaccines came months after Western countries, now same story with RSV. Need faster approvals and local manufacturing. 🇮🇳
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Sunita R.
As someone with heart condition, this is scary! But article doesn't explain prevention. Should we wear masks during winter? Avoid crowded places? Doctors in India rarely test for RSV - they just say "viral fever" and prescribe antibiotics. Need more awareness!
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Karan P.
While findings are important, we must remember Singapore's healthcare is very different from India's. Our government hospitals are overburdened - will they even have resources to monitor cardiac events in RSV patients? Need to improve infrastructure first.

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Tags:
RSV Cardiac Events Healthcare Research Respiratory Infections Singapore Medical Study