Investigating the Cardiac and Brain Impact of COVID-19 in Diverse Populations

COVID-19 has impacted people of different ethnic and socio-economic class differently. In particular, certain ethnic groups have a higher rate of infection with COVID-19 and worse prognosis after infection. We are also learning that COVID-19 may result in permanent changes to the brain and heart. In 2013, we assembled a multiethnic cohort of over 2,600 adults from the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area in a study called the Canadian Alliance for Healthy Hearts and Minds. Participants provided blood samples and underwent a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the brain and heart. We are now re-contacting them and propose to ask them in-depth questions on COVID-19 infection and vaccination and invite some participants with COVID-19 and others without a history of infection for further testing, including measuring their thinking ability and memory and a repeat MRI of brain and heart. This repeat assessment focused on COVID-19 will enable us to better understand the impact of COVID-19 on thinking, the cardiovascular system, and brain.