COVID-19 Accelerates Blood Vessel Aging, with Greater Impact on Women
Recent research reveals COVID-19 accelerates blood vessel aging, especially in women, increasing future cardiovascular risks. Learn about the study findings and health implications.
COVID-19 and Vascular Aging: What the Latest Research Reveals
COVID-19 has been linked to faster aging of blood vessels, leading to increased arterial stiffness, especially in women. A recent study analyzed data from over 2,390 individuals across multiple countries, revealing that even mild COVID cases can accelerate vascular aging by up to five years. This vascular stiffening might contribute to future cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes.
Key Points:
- Since January 2020, approximately 768 million people worldwide have been infected with COVID-19.
- COVID can cause long-term health issues beyond respiratory symptoms, impacting the cardiovascular system.
- The study shows that COVID leads to stiffer arteries, more pronounced in women and those with long COVID.
- Arterial stiffening signifies early vascular aging, which increases cardiovascular risk.
- Monitoring vascular health post-COVID can facilitate early intervention to prevent severe heart conditions.
Study Highlights
Researchers used a device to measure carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) to assess vascular age. Results indicated that all COVID-affected groups had stiffer arteries than non-infected individuals, with women experiencing the greatest impact. This suggests that COVID-19 accelerates vascular aging, which could heighten future cardiovascular risks.
The Role of Gender
Women are more prone to long COVID and exhibit a higher increase in arterial stiffness. Their more vigorous immune response might contribute to vascular damage, emphasizing the importance of gender-specific health monitoring after COVID.
Implications and Recommendations
Experts recommend closer vascular monitoring for COVID survivors, especially women and those with long COVID. Early detection of vascular changes offers opportunities for intervention, which could mitigate long-term cardiovascular consequences.
Sources:
- European Heart Journal
- Nature
- AHA/ASA Journals
- Medical News Today
For further insights, consultations with healthcare professionals specializing in cardiology are advised.
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