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<\/p>\nA doctor has explained why Covid hit Kate Garraway's hubby Derek Draper so hard. <\/p>\n
The father of two, 56, is in a "very serious condition" after suffering a major heart attack, having battled health complications since contracting Covid in March 2020. The Mirror report that Good Morning Britain star Kate, 56, is getting ready to be with Derek in hospital for Christmas after his latest health battle surprised them all.<\/p>\n
A source shared: "Derek suffered a massive heart attack which has left him fighting for his life all over again. It was sudden and a shock as he had been doing well and was in great spirits, looking forward to Christmas at home with the family. We just hope there will be some more positive news soon as he has been in such a long and tough battle with his health. Kate's only focus right now is Derek and her family."<\/p>\n
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A doctor has now given reasons why Covid can be really bad for some people, and Derek's bad time with it isn't just happening to him. Derek, one of the UK's longest-suffering Covid patients, spent 13 months in hospital before returning home in April 2021. However, his battle continues, as he and Kate, parents to Darcey, 15, and Billy, 11, revealed in the ITV documentary Finding Derek.<\/p>\n
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Kate shared at the time: "He can't really move. We do need a lot of help. And it's not just help with looking after him, because it is 24-hour care, and I haven't really slept as you can probably tell. I will ease off, I'm just very aware at the moment and it's a whole new team. So he's probably got a little bit used to the people in hospital and so it's a new team now that are working with him and helping him to come through. It's going to take a lot of adjustment."<\/p>\n
Despite Derek's severe condition, they are not alone in this struggle. Dr Gareth Nye, a lecturer at Chester Medical School, says studies show 80% of Covid patients develop long-term symptoms, including fatigue, headaches, and attention disorders. Dr Nye, speaking to the Mirror, said: "After any Covid infection regardless of hospitalisation or treatment, your risk of having a cardiovascular event (eg heart attack or stroke) is significantly higher in the 12 months that follow. <\/p>\n
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"Long-term lung issues are also seen due to the damage from the infection along with long-term changes to your immune system, leading to increased risk of autoimmune diseases (over 40 per cent more likely)." Talking about the case of Derek, he added: "Derek was a severe case and his journey has been such an important one to follow. Derek will undoubtedly have multiple long-term health conditions following his specific reaction to the Covid infection, as well as the procedures used to try and save him eg ventilation."<\/p>\n
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"We know that the Covid virus impacts the cardiovascular system and does increase your risks of clots which can lead to heart attacks and organ failure. It certainly isn't isolated but remains quite uncommon compared with the vast numbers of people who have been infected with the virus, even multiple times."<\/p>\n
* This article was crafted with the help of an AI tool, which speeds up Daily Star's editorial research. An editor reviewed this content before it was published. You can report any errors to starletters@dailystar.co.uk <\/b><\/p>\n
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