New research published in the European Heart Journal has shown that contracting COVID-19 is associated with accelerated blood vessel aging, especially in women.
The research was a prospective cohort study that included nearly 2,400 participants. Participants fit into one of four groups: individuals who got COVID-19 but were not hospitalized, individuals who were hospitalized in general wards with COVID-19, individuals who were hospitalized in intensive care units with COVID-19, and a control group who did not contract COVID-19. In each group, arterial stiffness was measured, which is a way to determine a person’s vascular age. In individuals who contracted COVID-19, measurements were taken six months and 12 months after contracting Covid. Measurements were compared among the groups to determine how COVID-19 impacts vascular aging.
The results showed that all three groups who had contracted COVID-19 had stiffer blood vessels than those who had not contracted COVID-19, indicating a higher blood vessel age. Women tended to be more impacted than men, and the effect was also greater in people with symptoms of long Covid, such as fatigue and shortness of breath. The impact was also greater for people who were treated for Covid in intensive care. On average, blood vessel aging was increased by at least five years, even for people with mild COVID-19. People who had been vaccinated against COVID-19 tended to show less arterial stiffness than those who had not been vaccinated.
The authors noted that there are several possible explanations for the increased blood vessel stiffness caused by COVID-19. Covid acts on certain cells that line the blood vessels during infection, which could increase stiffness. Inflammation and immune responses to the virus may also play a role. Women tend to have stronger immune responses than men, which could explain gender differences. Increases in blood vessel stiffness can cause a greater risk of heart disease, including an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Sources: European Health Journal, Science Daily