Studies Show COVID-19 Raises Risk of ‘Vascular Aging’ with Stiffer Arteries

When people think about COVID-19, they may think about how it affects their respiratory system. But it can also lead to issues with the cardiovascular system.

A new study found that people who had COVID-19 have stiffer arteries when compared to people who have never had the illness.

According to Javaneh Jabbari, MD, MHS, RPVI, a board-certified vascular surgeon with The Vascular Center at Mercy, vascular aging includes issues like increased blood pressure or developing blockages.

Dr. Jabbari noted that extreme fatigue, a lot of leg pain, instability walking, non-healing wounds, changes in vision, or any signs of stroke are all red flags of vascular aging and should be checked by a healthcare provider. Sometimes, symptoms are subtle. But if you’ve had COVID-19, it is another risk factor for vascular issues.

“Some of the studies [show]… that patients who had any sort of COVID-19—even the ones that weren’t even in the hospital—had blood vessels that were stiffer, and those stiff blood vessels cause higher blood pressure, more heart problems, and also more problems that are related to any blood flow issues,” Dr. Jabbari said.

Dr. Jabbari explained that around the time of menopause, because women lose estrogen, their blood vessels also stiffen. If you’re a woman over age 50 who has had COVID-19, it is important to keep this in mind for your health records.

View Mercy vascular surgeon Dr. Javaneh Jabbari’s interview regarding women and vascular aging.