Have you had COVID-19?
The Persistent cardiovascular effects of COVID-19 viral infection study (PERCEIVE) is looking for people who have had COVID-19.
The PERCEIVE study aims to understand whether COVID-19 causes damage to the heart and impacts functional capacity. We also want to know if best practice management (e.g. heart medication or exercise training) can restore function.
If you have had COVID-19 infection you may qualify for this important study which includes cardiac scans and exercise testing to see if any damage has occurred to your heart. If there is evidence of heart damage, you will receive a review with a cardiologist (heart doctor) and you could receive either exercise training or medications to help the heart recover.
Who can participate?
You may be eligible for this study if you:
- are aged 40 years and over
- have had a COVID-19 infection at least 3 months ago
- are symptomatic with fatigue, dyspnoea (difficulty breathing) or flu-like symptoms.
Complete the study application form
What’s involved?
If you have had COVID-19 and are interested in participating, you will need to complete a screening visit to determine if you qualify for this study. This appointment will occur at the Baker Specialist Clinics (Melbourne or Hoppers Crossing) or the Menzies Institute for Medical Research (Hobart) and include a brief clinical assessment (including questionnaires, a walking test and blood test). Based on your assessment we will determine your eligibility to continue in the PERCEIVE study.
Those who carry on in the study will be asked to attend another appointment for further assessment, including:
- a heart echo scan
- an exercise test
- additional blood tests.
Based on the results of these tests, we will determine if you continue to the next stage of the study which involves review by a cardiologist, prescribing medications that protect the heart and a program of exercises to improve your fitness.
The study runs for 24 months with clinical reviews every 6 months.
At the end of the study, we will ask you to come into the clinic once again to have another brief clinical assessment, exercise and echo tests to see if the treatment has been beneficial.
If you would like further information, please contact the PERCEIVE study team in your area:
Baker Specialist Clinics (Victoria)
T: (03) 8532 1555
E: perceive@baker.edu.au
Menzies Institute for Medical Research (Tasmania)
T: (03) 6226 4235
E: perceive.menzies@utas.edu.au
Download the PICF