New Research: COVID-19 Can Have Long-Term Negative Effects on Heart Health, Even at Mild Levels
The study is the first to compare arterial stiffness levels before and after a COVID-19 infection, a factor that is closely related to how well our arteries function and age. A COVID-19 infection’s lingering effects, also known as protracted COVID, are linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, and, in extreme cases, death. Using baseline measurements from a set of people in a different study that started pre-pandemic and looked at arterial stiffness as well, an international team of scientists was able to conduct this research. Two to three months after infection, patients with mild COVID-19 experienced symptoms including changes in their arterial and central cardiovascular function. As a side effect, arteries may become stiffer and less functioning, which may result in the development of cardiovascular disease . Age and the duration of the COVID infection are linked to faster artery ageing, according to the study, which was published in the Journal of Clin...