Heart issue identified in 2% of athletes who tested positive for Covid-19

(KYMA, KECY/ CNN) - A new study published in the Jama Cardiology Journal finds that a small percentage of athletes who had Covid-19 also have a rare heart ailment.

Last September, the Big Ten Conference required cardiac screening for athletes who tested positive for Covid-19 and nearly 1,600 were tested.

37 of them were diagnosed with Myocarditis, a rare inflammation of the heart muscle. Of those 37 diagnosed, 28 of them had no specific symptoms.

Myocarditis is the leading cause of sudden death in competitive athletes and it has been known to sometimes occur with Covid-19 but not much else is known.

Researchers say more testing is needed but it's unclear if the issue is actually related to Covid.