The study, followed nearly 2400 adults across 16 countries, sheds light on how researchers tracked changes in artery stiffness at six and 12 months after infection, and what they found was striking.
Covid linked to heart problems in women?
Women who had Covid showed significant stiffening of their arteries, even when their original illness was mild, as per the study. The more severe the infection, the worse the damage.Researchers say this is important since people with stiffer blood vessels face a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, including stroke and heart attack.
ALSO READ: Why did Raja violently assault Syko Stu? Father Quinton Jackson finally speaks out amid intense backlash
The study was led by Professor Rosa Maria Bruno from Université Paris Cité, France. She said: “Since the pandemic, we have learned that many people who have had Covid are left with symptoms that can last for months or even years. However, we are still learning what’s happening in the body to create these symptoms.
“We know that Covid can directly affect blood vessels. We believe that this may result in what we call early vascular ageing, meaning that your blood vessels are older than your chronological age and you are more susceptible to heart disease. If that is happening, we need to identify who is at risk at an early stage to prevent heart attacks and strokes.”Women admitted to intensive care had the highest increase, but the effect was still seen in those who stayed at home. The study also shed light on long Covid. Women who continued to experience fatigue, breathlessness or brain fog were more likely to have signs of vascular aging.Arterial stiffening matters because it is strongly linked to cardiovascular disease. Experts estimate the five-year “aging” of blood vessels could raise the risk of heart problems by about 3 percent for a 60-year-old woman. By comparison, the effect in men was not statistically significant.ALSO READ: Streaming platform Kick bans Raja Jackson after brutal 20-punch assault on Syko Stu. All about Quinton Rampage’s son
What about vaccinated people?
Researchers also recorded demographic information such as patient’s sex, age and other factors that can influence cardiovascular health. The effect was greater in women than in men and in people who experienced the persistent symptoms of long Covid, such as shortness of breath and fatigue.
People who had been vaccinated against Covid generally had arteries that were less stiff than people who were unvaccinated. Over the longer term, the vascular ageing associated with Covid infection seemed to stabilise or improve slightly.
Professor Bruno said: “There are several possible explanations for the vascular effects of Covid. The Covid-19 virus acts on specific receptors in the body, called the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptors, that are present on the lining of the blood vessels. The virus uses these receptors to enter and infect cells. This may result in vascular dysfunction and accelerated vascular ageing. Our body’s inflammation and immune responses, which defend against infections, may be also involved.
ALSO READ: ‘Makes perfect sense’: RFK Jr reveals unexpected reason for his unusual gym outfit choice
“One of the reasons for the difference between women and men could be differences in the function of the immune system. Women mount a more rapid and robust immune response, which can protect them from infection. However, this same response can also increase damage to blood vessels after the initial infection.
“Vascular ageing is easy to measure and can be addressed with widely available treatments, such as lifestyle changes, blood pressure-lowering and cholesterol-lowering drugs. For people with accelerated vascular ageing, it is important to do whatever possible to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes.”
Women who have had Covid, particularly those with ongoing symptoms, should be mindful of their heart health, experts say. Regular check-ups, a healthy lifestyle, and management of blood pressure and cholesterol could all help offset the risk.