A study published on August 18 in the European Heart Journal has revealed a significant association between COVID-19 and early vascular aging, as measured by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV)—a well-established marker of large artery stiffness. The findings suggest that the impact of COVID-19 on vascular aging is notably stronger in women compared to men.

The prospective cohort study, led by Dr. Rosa Maria Bruno from Université Paris Cité, involved 2,390 adults from 34 centers across 16 countries. The study aimed to investigate whether COVID-19 infection leads to accelerated vascular aging. Participants were divided into four groups: COVID-19-negative controls and three groups exposed to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) at varying levels of severity, ranging from non-hospitalized individuals to those hospitalized in general wards or intensive care units (ICUs).

The study revealed that all groups with a history of COVID-19 infection showed higher PWV compared to the control group, with increases of +0.41, +0.37, and +0.40 m/s for the non-hospitalized, general ward, and ICU groups, respectively. After adjusting for confounders, the data indicated that women were particularly affected, showing a significant increase in PWV (+0.55, +0.60, and +1.09 m/s for the respective groups). In contrast, the PWV differences in men were not statistically significant.

Moreover, the study found that persistent symptoms in COVID-19-positive women were associated with higher PWV values, even after adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors. Women with lingering symptoms had a PWV of 7.52 m/s, compared to 7.13 m/s in women without persistent symptoms.

Interestingly, the study also showed that, while PWV in COVID-19-positive groups either stabilized or improved after 12 months, the control group without COVID-19 saw progression in PWV, indicating that COVID-19 may have a lasting effect on vascular health.

Dr. Bruno noted that one potential explanation for the difference between women and men could be the distinct functioning of the immune system. "Women mount a more rapid and robust immune response, which helps protect them from infection. However, this same immune response may also contribute to vascular damage after the initial infection," she said.

This study highlights the importance of monitoring cardiovascular health, particularly vascular aging, in individuals who have recovered from COVID-19, with a focus on gender differences in the long-term impact of the virus on vascular function.