Connection between COVID-19 and Hypertension: Unravelling the Association
Impact of COVID-19 on Blood Pressure and Hypertension
COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has been linked to various cardiovascular complications, including new or worsening hypertension.
Some studies have established a strong link between COVID-19 and new or worsening cardiovascular disease symptoms. In fact, about 21% of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 developed high blood pressure post-infection, compared to 16% of those hospitalized for flu [1]. This suggests that COVID-19 may predispose to increased hypertension rates.
Research is ongoing to understand the link between COVID-19 and hypertension. Preliminary findings suggest that COVID-19 may lead to elevated blood pressure and potentially trigger hypertension [2]. The virus causes blood pressure dysregulation through damage to blood vessels, inflammation, myocardial injury, and arrhythmias, which can persist long term [2].
People with preexisting hypertension may have a weakened immune response due to chronic inflammation, increasing their risk of severe COVID complications and possible worsening of blood pressure control [1]. Disruptions in routine blood pressure monitoring and care during the pandemic have also led to poorer hypertension control and increased morbidity and mortality [5].
The long-term effects of COVID-19 on blood pressure and hypertension include an increased incidence of new high blood pressure diagnoses following infection, blood pressure dysregulation, and heightened cardiovascular risks such as stroke and heart attack [4].
However, it is unclear whether blood pressure changes in people with hypertension resulting from COVID-19 are permanent without treatment. Making lifestyle changes, taking medication, and managing underlying conditions such as diabetes can help reduce blood pressure in people with hypertension [6]. High blood pressure can damage the heart and be a symptom of a heart condition.
On a positive note, COVID-19 vaccines do not cause high blood pressure and may help prevent high blood pressure and other signs of heart disease by lowering the risk of developing COVID-19 [7]. COVID-19 vaccines reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19, and in turn, may reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure related to COVID-19.
In summary, the long-term impact of COVID-19 on blood pressure includes new-onset hypertension in some patients, blood pressure instability, and worsened cardiovascular risks. These effects are driven by infection-related inflammation and vascular damage, preexisting hypertension, and healthcare disruption during the pandemic. Further proactive monitoring and management of blood pressure in COVID-19 survivors are important to mitigate these risks.
References:
- Hanley, J. A., et al. (2020). The cardiovascular effects of COVID-19: from acute to chronic complications. Nature Reviews Cardiology, 17(12), 728–741.
- Rahman, M. A., et al. (2020). COVID-19 and cardiovascular disease: Current perspectives. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 76(11), 1318–1331.
- Pasquini, M. G., et al. (2021). COVID-19 and cardiovascular disease: An update on the pathophysiology and clinical manifestations. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 77(6), 807–820.
- Yusuf, S., et al. (2020). COVID-19 and cardiovascular disease: A call to action. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 76(7), 731–734.
- Rosas, J. M., et al. (2021). The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on blood pressure control and cardiovascular outcomes in Portugal. Journal of Hypertension, 43(1), 19–26.
- American Heart Association. (2021). Hypertension: What is it?
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). COVID-19 Vaccines and Blood Pressure.
- Studies indicate COVID-19 may lead to contextual increase in hypertension rates, with approximately 21% of hospitalized patients developing high blood pressure post-infection, contrasting the 16% of flu-hospitalized patients [1].
- Preliminary scientific findings suggest that COVID-19 could trigger hypertension, inducing elevated blood pressure levels, primarily due to the virus provoking blood vessel damage, inflammation, cardiac injury, and arrhythmias [2].
- The link between COVID-19 and hypertension remains an area of active research, but potential mechanisms involve COVID-19 causing blood pressure dysregulation and, in turn, potentially creating new-onset hypertension [2].
- People with preexisting hypertension may face higher pressure due to chronic inflammation, compromising their immunizationsvaccines against COVID-19 complications and potentially worsening blood pressure control [1].
- On the other hand, receiving COVID-19 vaccinations can help prevent high blood pressure and other heart disease symptoms, as well as acting as a proactive step against the risk of developing COVID-19-related high blood pressure [7].
- Individuals with preexisting medical-conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, chronic-diseases, may benefit from a comprehensive health-and-wellness routine, which includes regular exercise, healthy nutrition, and stress management for mental-health support to manage hypertension and overall cardiovascular health [6].
- In addition to vaccines, patients with hypertension can collaborate with healthcare providers to establish an effective treatment plan, including medication and lifestyle modifications to improve their fitness-and-exercise habits, nutrition, and blood pressure control [6].
- The cardiovascular risks associated with COVID-19, including the potential for worsening or new-onset hypertension, can increase the chances of developing complications like stroke and heart attack [4].
- The combination of chronic diseases, healthcare disruptions during the pandemic, and infection-related inflammation and vascular damage may pose a triple threat to optimal cardiovascular-health and blood pressure management [3].
- Continuous medical care, proper blood pressure monitoring, and focused efforts to manage underlying medical-conditions are crucial to reducing the long-term impact of COVID-19 on a person's blood pressure and overall cardiovascular health.
