Impact of COVID-19 on ambulatory blood pressure in young adults: a cross-sectional analysis investigating time since diagnosis

Abstract

Previous studies have reported detrimental effects of COVID-19 on the peripheral vasculature. However, reports on blood pressure (BP) are inconsistent, and measurements are made only in the laboratory setting. To date, no studies have measured ambulatory BP. In addition, in previous studies, time since COVID-19 diagnosis among participants varied across a wide range, potentially contributing to the inconsistent BP results. Thus, we aimed to perform a comprehensive assessment of BP and BP variability using ambulatory and laboratory (brachial and central) measurements in young adults who had COVID-19. We hypothesized that ambulatory BP would be elevated post-COVID-19 and that measures of BP would be inversely related with time since diagnosis. Twenty-eight young adults who had COVID-19 [11 ± 6 (range 3-22) wk since diagnosis] and 10 controls were studied. Ambulatory daytime, nighttime, and 24-h systolic BP, diastolic BP, and mean BP were not different between the control and COVID groups (e.g., daytime systolic BP: control, 122 ± 12 mmHg; COVID, 122 ± 10 mmHg; P = 0.937). Similar results were observed for laboratory BPs (all P > 0.05). However, ambulatory daytime, nighttime, and 24-h BPs as well as laboratory brachial BPs were inversely correlated with time since COVID-19 diagnosis (e.g., daytime systolic BP: r = -0.444; P = 0.044, nighttime systolic BP: r = -0.518; P = 0.016). Ambulatory and laboratory-measured BP variability were not different between groups nor correlated with time since diagnosis. Collectively, these data suggest that adverse effects of COVID-19 on BP in young adults are minimal and likely transient.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We report for the first time that ambulatory daytime, nighttime, and 24-h blood pressure (BP), as well as laboratory BP, were not different between control and COVID participants. However, a significant inverse relationship with time since COVID-19 diagnosis was found (i.e., greater BP with more recent infection). Ambulatory and laboratory BP variability were unaffected and not related with diagnosis time. These findings suggest that COVID-19 may exert only short-lasting effects on BP in young adults.

Keywords: COVID-19 recovery; SARS-CoV-2; arterial stiffness; daytime blood pressure; nighttime blood pressure.

Graphical abstract

Figure 1.

Group and individual data for ambulatory daytime (A, B, and C) and nighttime (D, E, and F) systolic blood pressure (BP), diastolic BP, and mean BP between control (white bars and circles; n = 10; 4 males) and COVID (gray bars and triangles; n = 21; 8 males). Black symbols represent males and white symbols represent females. Comparisons between groups were made using Student’s t test for independent samples.

Figure 2.

Relationship between time since diagnosis and ambulatory daytime (A, B, and C) and nighttime (D, E, and F) systolic blood pressure (BP), diastolic BP, and mean BP in the COVID group (n = 21; 8 males). Black symbols represent males and white symbols represent females. r = correlation coefficient.

Figure 3.

Relationship between time since diagnosis and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) in the COVID group (n = 28; 11 males). Black symbols represent males and white symbols represent females. r = correlation coefficient.