A new study has found that people who have had COVID-19 have stiffer arteries compared to those who never had the infection. According to the study published in the European Heart Journal, this arterial stiffening may cause early vascular aging of up to five years. The study analyzed medical data from approximately 2,390 people from 16 countries and found that even mild cases of COVID-19 can lead to increased arterial stiffness.
The study’s findings suggest that COVID-19 can have long-term effects on the cardiovascular system, with women and people with long COVID experiencing more pronounced arterial stiffening. Researchers measured carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity to determine vascular age and found that participants who had COVID-19 had stiffer arteries than those who had not.
The study’s lead author notes that detecting silent changes such as increased arterial stiffness early on can help prevent cardiovascular events like myocardial infarction and stroke. The findings highlight the importance of continued research into the long-term effects of COVID-19 on the body.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
