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Coronavirus patients can suffer irreversible heart damage as a result of their battle with the disease, a study of hospital patients has found.

More than half of infected patients who had heart scans while in hospital with Covid-19 showed abnormal changes to their organ.

One in eight had signs of 'severe dysfunction' in their heart and doctors couldn't find any other explanation except the coronavirus. In the UK around one in four people admitted to hospital with Covid-19 die of it but even survivors may be left with long-term illness, this research suggests.

The study, done by the British Heart Foundation, adds to concerns that coronavirus can cause widespread damage to the vital organs and leaves some 'long-haulers' with health problems that will last for months and even years after the infection. 

Long-term effects can include coughing, shortness of breath and reduced lung capcity, and there is also evidence the virus can affect the brain and kidneys. A lung doctor who helped treat Boris Johnson said the virus is 'this generation's polio'.

One British Heart Foundation researcher referred to Covid-19 as a 'multi-system disease' that can spread all round the body.