The risk of long COVID was two to three times higher after the initial infection (14.8%) than after first (5.8%) or second (5.3%) reinfections.
Plaque growth can lead to a higher risk of heart attack, stroke, and other life-threatening cardiovascular events for as long as 1 year.
Post-exertional malaise, or exercise intolerance, was seen in 36% of those with long COVID.
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So far, lab studies suggest the updated vaccines are well positioned against the latest emerging variants, including BA.2.86.
The findings came from the European Primary Oral Insulin Trial.
A total of 80% of the most intelligent people were vaccinated within 40 days of vaccine availability, compared with 180 days for those with the lowest cognitive ability.
The attack rate in the outbreak was high, at 87%, though officials said it's too soon to say how the variant will behave in the wider population.
The authors said that giving the two vaccines at a single clinic visit should increase adherence.
During follow-up testing beginning 4 months after infection, study participants with COVID-19 were offered structured, additional heart screenings, including cardiovascular MRI.
In other developments, Danish researchers today reported on the country's first 10 BA.2.86 cases, none of which were severe.
The authors say the results point to immunologic coronavirus imprinting in patients with rheumatic disease and long COVID that may result in incomplete SARS-CoV-2 immunity, control, and clearance.
The risk of both new-onset and recurrent depression was greater in those who reported loneliness, had functional limitations, or experienced escalated family conflict.
Meanwhile, several more BA.2.86 sequences were reported, as Moderna notes reassuring lab findings against BA.2.86 for its updated vaccine.
