#LongCOVID has long told the story of the vascular nature of #COVID (thank you Lauren for your incredible art) [all images described in tweet or AltText]
#LongCOVID #LongHaulers have talked of the vascular effects of #COVID since Spring 2020, when many felt first-hand the multi-system viral effects
#LongCOVID While #COVID enters the body through orifices & progreses you the kings, we now know that #COVID replicates in our cells, including our blood, thereby altering our bloods environment. This altering of our biochemistry impeded oxygen transfer to organs
This is why #COVID is devastating to bodies, why it harms our blood béseles, & why an average If 9.1 body systems are effected in people living with #LongCOVID. This is also why listening to patients can advance medicine & help us all
Most recently, research is validating the vascular damage in #LongCOVID, with a recent study finding inflammatory micro-clots in sufferers, a potential cause of new illness (Not anxiety, trauma, attention-seeking, in our heads, or deconditioning)
In the study, inflammatory molecules contain clotting proteins (such as fibrinogen as well as alpha-2-antiplasmin) were found in the micro-clots. Alpha-2-antiplasmin prevents the breakdown if clots, while fibrinogen is the main clotting protein #LongCOVID
But in #COVID patients, according to the study: “this implies that the plasmin & anti-plasmin balance may be central to pathologies in #LongCOVID and provides further evidence that #COVID19 and now Long COVID, have significant cardiovascular & clotting pathologies
This is why these headlines aren’t surprising to people living with #LongCOVID: we’ve known for over 19 months that #COVID is vascular & why age and prior health mean little in developing Long COVID.
The vascular effects of #COVID & resultant multi-system organ damage had been felt & left untreated in #LongCOVID for almost 2 years. Standard imaging & blood tests do not show the extent of damage. This is also why 1st & 2nd wave patients were gaslit in our attempt to get help
This is why we must listen to & believe those who have lived experience. This is why #LongCOVID is already a massive global crisis. If only we were believed sooner.
Credit to artist: instagram.com/p/CVbd66wMpaz/…
Lived experience @doctorasadkhan
These links are important to better understand mechanisms:
👉 antihistamines have been suggested to treat Mast Cell Activation Syndrome #MCAS
medrxiv.org/content/10.110…
👉 mast cells are known for their pro-thrombotic mechanisms in Deep Vein Thrombosis bhf.org.uk/what-we-do/new…
We are not promoting any treatments and suggest you speak with your trusted healthcare provider. We highlight these to continue discussions of mechanistic hypothesis.
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