Young males at increased risk for inflammation of heart muscle after COVID booster: study
Jan 26, 2022(WWJ) - Young men and teenage boys are at a rare, but increased risk for an inflammatory condition of the heart muscle after their second booster of a COVID mRNA vaccine, according to a new study.
A recent report in Jama showed a slight increase in the condition -- called Myocarditis -- in young men ages 18 to 24-years-old and teenage boys, 17 to 18-years-old. The study surveyed just over 354 million patients from December 2020 to August 2021.
An estimated 1,626 patients, most of them young males, were reported to have Myocarditis -- 82% of those cases occurred after the second dose of mRNA COVID vaccine, which is made by Pfizer and Moderna.
Dr. Chadi Alraies, a cardiologist at the Detroit Medical Center, told WWJ's Dr. Deanna Lites that most cases of Myocarditis seen at DMC were mild and "they were just inflammation and subsided."
The study confirmed this, stating that "even though almost all individuals with cases of myocarditis were hospitalized and clinically monitored, they typically experienced symptomatic recovery after receiving only pain management."
Alraies said while all vaccines come with the potential for side effects, the benefit of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine still outweighs any risks and he continues to recommends it to his patients.
Health officials said that patients should always talk to their doctors if they are unsure.
The report also states the condition is not isolated to COVID vaccines. The small pox vaccine also saw patients come down with Myocarditis.
To find out more about COVID-19 vaccines within the state of Michigan, please go here.
