Abstract
Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been associated with significant cardiovascular complications. While most studies focus on patients with pre-existing cardiac conditions, less is known about the cardiovascular impact in individuals without prior heart disease, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study aimed to assess the prevalence, clinical profile, and associated factors of new-onset cardiovascular complications among hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Bangladesh without pre-existing heart disease. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional observational study at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) from February to July 2022. Adult patients (≥18 years) hospitalized with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-confirmed COVID-19 and no prior cardiovascular history were included. Clinical data, laboratory findings, and electrocardiographic and echocardiographic abnormalities were recorded. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess associations between demographic variables (age, sex, smoking status) and cardiovascular complications. Results Among 182 patients (mean age: 37.5 ± 12.14 years; 52.1% female), new-onset cardiovascular complications were observed in 58 (31.9%) with hypertension, 20 (10.9%) with ischemic heart disease, 19 (10.44%) with myocardial infarction, 16 (8.79%) with heart failure, 11 (6.04%) with arrhythmias, and 10 (5.49%) with cardiomyopathy. Cardiovascular events occurred across all levels of COVID-19 severity, including mild and moderate presentations. No statistically significant associations were found between cardiovascular complications and age, sex, or smoking status. Conclusions Cardiovascular complications are common among COVID-19 patients in Bangladesh, even in younger individuals without prior heart disease. These findings highlight the need for proactive cardiac evaluation during and after COVID-19 infection, regardless of baseline cardiovascular risk.