In a new study, researchers found increased risks for COVID-19 patients who smoke, vape.
The research was conducted by a team from the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC).
As the COVID-19 has unfurled its tentacles across the globe, the severe respiratory and pulmonary disorders associated with the infection have become well known.
However, recent studies also have shown the presence of cerebrovascular-neurological dysfunction in COVID-19 patients.
This includes large artery ischemic strokes that originate in one of the brain’s larger blood-supplying arteries such as the carotid.
Other researchers have for years studied the effects smoking and vaping have on the cerebrovascular and neurological systems.
Their research has shown smokers of tobacco and vaping products are more vulnerable to viral and bacterial infection than are non-smokers.
Based on those findings and the recent COVID-19 patient case studies, the team reviewed the role smoking and vaping may play in the cerebrovascular and neurological dysfunction of those who contract the virus.
They demonstrated how tobacco smoke can impair a person’s respiratory function. From there, it can affect the vascular system and eventually the brain.
Because COVID-19 also attacks the respiratory and vascular systems, they wanted to see if there were any reported cases indicating the virus may also affect the brain and lead to long-term neurological disorders like ischemic strokes.
They also looked for evidence showing smoking and vaping can otherwise worsen the outcomes for COVID-19 patients.
The team found there are within the human body approximately 13 blood coagulation factors that can be increased due to hypoxia, a condition that occurs when the body is deprived of sufficient amounts of oxygen at the tissue level, as occurs with smoking.
COVID-19 appears to also raise some blood procoagulant, especially a blood-clotting protein that primarily promotes platelet adhesion at the site of wounds.
When the coagulant factor is increased in the body, there will be a higher chance of clot formation.
Ultimately, it will be responsible for several vascular dysfunctions, for example, hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke.
Because COVID-19 and smoking or vaping each increases blood coagulation factors that may eventually affect the cerebral vascular system, the team believes the stroke risk may be higher still for COVID-19 patients who smoke.
Recent clinical study data also shows some of the damage caused by COVID-19, especially to the respiratory system, is permanent.
The team said the same data indicates that patients who recover from COVID-19 still have an elevated risk for stroke and that age and physical activity don’t seem to be factors.
Some of those with the highest risk factors for long-term problems related to COVID-19 are young adults in their 20s and 30s who were active and considered to be in their physical prime.
In addition to impairing the immune and vascular systems and triggering cerebrovascular and neurological dysfunction, smoking and vaping often worsen the outcomes for patients who contract influenza or other respiratory or pulmonary diseases.
Because COVID-19 appears to affect many of the same systems within the body, it would seem logical to think the health risks are increased for COVID-19 patients who smoke, but the virus is too new to know for certain.
One author of the study is Luca Cucullo, Ph.D.
The study is published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
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