Paris, France — A recent study has shown that even mild cases of COVID-19 can significantly accelerate vascular aging, potentially aging blood vessels by as much as five years. This change raises concerns about long-term risks for heart disease, strokes, and dementia.

Vascular aging, a process where blood vessels become stiffer and less effective in delivering oxygen to vital organs, typically occurs with age. However, research involving 2,390 participants across 16 countries indicates that the SARS-CoV-2 virus can hasten this process. The findings were reported in the European Heart Journal and highlight a particularly pronounced effect in women.

Prior research has linked vascular aging to an increased risk of cognitive illnesses like dementia. The latest investigation revealed that vaccinated individuals displayed less vascular stiffness compared to their unvaccinated counterparts, suggesting a potential protective effect of vaccination. In vaccinated subjects, vascular aging either stabilized or showed slight improvement over time.

Lead researcher Professor Rosa Maria Bruno from Université Paris Cité emphasized the direct impact of COVID-19 on blood vessel health. She explained that the observed vascular aging may increase susceptibility to cardiovascular issues and stressed the importance of identifying at-risk individuals early to prevent severe health outcomes.

To assess vascular aging, researchers employed a method called carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), which measures how quickly a blood pressure wave travels from the neck to the legs. An increase in PWV corresponds with stiffer blood vessels. After monitoring participants six months and twelve months post-infection, the study found that women who experienced mild COVID-19 had an average PWV increase of 0.55 meters per second.

For a 60-year-old woman, such an increase is significant, representing five years of vascular aging and elevating the risk of heart-related conditions. The study also pointed to various factors that could explain why the virus accelerates vascular aging. One hypothesis involves the virus’s interaction with angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptors in blood vessels, potentially leading to vascular dysfunction.

Additionally, the body’s inflammation response to the virus might also contribute to vascular aging, Professor Bruno noted. She speculated that fundamental differences in immune system responses between genders could elucidate why women seem more adversely affected by the virus in this context.

Addressing vascular aging may be achievable through lifestyle adjustments and pharmacological interventions aimed at lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels. The research team plans to monitor participants over the coming years to further investigate whether this accelerated vascular aging directly correlates with increases in heart attacks and strokes.

Dr. Behnood Bikdeli from Harvard Medical School remarked that while the immediate threat of COVID-19 may have diminished, a new challenge has surfaced: post-acute COVID-19 syndrome. This condition is characterized by lingering symptoms lasting two months or longer following infection. He stressed the need for identifying modifiable factors that could mitigate the impact of future infection surges.

The findings from this study aim to shed light on potential strategies for managing symptoms related to COVID-induced vascular aging, potentially leading to improved long-term health outcomes.