Post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC), commonly known as long COVID-19 or long COVID, is a condition where individuals experience a group of symptoms for several months after recovering from acute COVID-19.
Recent research has focused on understanding the impact of long COVID on the cardiovascular system.
This article presents new findings from a study published in the American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology, shedding light on the effects of long COVID on the heart and blood pressure.
What is Long COVID?
Long COVID is experienced by 10% to 20% of individuals who have had COVID-19. Symptoms of long COVID include fatigue, brain fog, and shortness of breath. It is more common in women.
In this study, researchers compared 12 women with long COVID to 11 healthy women (controls). The participants were matched in terms of age, height, weight, and body mass index.
Detailed cardiovascular measures were collected from both groups, and the long COVID participants also provided information about the nature and severity of their ongoing symptoms through a questionnaire.
Effects on Blood Pressure
The study revealed that the long COVID group had significantly higher resting blood pressure when measured from the arm while lying quietly, compared to the control group.
Additionally, the long COVID group exhibited higher central arterial stiffness. It is important to note that the severity of these blood pressure changes did not correlate with the severity of the reported symptoms in the questionnaire.
The Impact on Hypertension
Surprisingly, prior to contracting COVID-19, only one participant with long COVID had been diagnosed with hypertension.
However, after recovering from COVID-19, two participants received a new diagnosis of hypertension, and two had resting blood pressure values classified as Stage II hypertension.
One participant had Stage I hypertension, and two participants had high blood pressure based on current guidelines. This increase in resting blood pressure was consistent among the long COVID group.
Brain Fog and Cerebral Vascular Dysfunction
Although 11 out of 12 participants in the long COVID group reported experiencing brain fog, the study did not find any signs of cerebral vascular dysfunction.
This suggests that the cause of this common symptom may be unrelated to issues in the blood vessels supplying the brain.
Implications and Recommendations: The researchers caution that the higher prevalence of long COVID could potentially exacerbate the already existing burden of hypertension, particularly among older females.
These findings emphasize the importance of monitoring blood pressure in individuals recovering from COVID-19, even if they did not have a history of hypertension.
Understanding the effects of long COVID on the cardiovascular system is crucial for providing appropriate care and support to individuals experiencing this condition.
The study revealed that individuals with long COVID may experience higher resting blood pressure and central arterial stiffness. While brain fog was common, it did not indicate cerebral vascular dysfunction.
These findings underscore the need for further research and targeted interventions to address the long-term impact of COVID-19 on heart health.
Remember, if you or someone you know is experiencing persistent symptoms after recovering from COVID-19, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional for guidance and support.
If you care about COVID, please read studies about Vitamin D deficiency linked to severe COVID-19, and how diets could help manage post-COVID syndrome.
For more information about COVID, please see recent studies about new evidence on rare blood clots after COVID-19 vaccination, and results showing zinc could help reduce COVID-19 infection risk.
The study was published in the American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology.
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