COVID-19 May Accelerate Blood Vessel Aging

A recent study suggests that infections caused by COVID-19 may lead to accelerated aging of blood vessels. This phenomenon appears to affect women more significantly than men, particularly those suffering from long COVID, as reported in the journal European Heart Journal.

As individuals age, blood vessels naturally become stiffer, which can raise the risk of cardiovascular diseases, including strokes and heart attacks. The research involved a sample of 2,390 participants from 16 different countries, including Austria, with data collected between September 2020 and February 2022. The study categorized participants based on their COVID-19 status: those uninfected, those with mild cases, those treated in regular hospital wards, and those admitted to intensive care.

The researchers measured the age of participants' blood vessels using a device that assesses how quickly a pressure wave travels from the carotid artery to the femoral arteries. A higher speed indicates stiffer blood vessels, which correlates to an older biological age. Measurements were taken six and twelve months post-COVID infection, while controlling for other factors that could influence vascular aging.

The findings revealed that blood vessels in groups infected with COVID-19 were, on average, stiffer than those in the uninfected group. This trend was noted even among participants who experienced only mild symptoms. Additionally, vaccinated individuals displayed less stiffness in their blood vessels compared to those who were unvaccinated.

Notably, the most pronounced differences were observed in women. In contrast, men did not show significant variations in vascular stiffness. The authors of the study suggest that this discrepancy might stem from a higher mortality rate among men infected with COVID-19, leading to a potential survival bias in the male sample.

Overall, while some participants exhibited stabilization or even a decrease in the aging effects on their blood vessels over time, the study underscores the importance of understanding the long-term cardiovascular impacts of COVID-19, especially among vulnerable populations.