A large target trial emulation published in Nature Communications found that outpatient antiviral treatments—nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid) and molnupiravir—were associated with reduced cardiovascular events following SARS-CoV-2 infection. The observational emulation adjusted for confounders and reported lower incidence of heart and vascular complications among treated patients. The results add to evidence that early antiviral therapy may protect beyond acute viral outcomes and could influence guidelines for antiviral use in at-risk populations. Payers and cardiology societies may reassess policies for antiviral access, particularly for older adults and those with comorbidities, while randomized confirmatory trials remain desirable.