Blood pressure pattern among blood donors exposed to SARS-CoV-2 in Luanda, Angola: A retrospective study

Abstract

Background and aims: SARS-CoV-2 infection is a public health concern. Several aspects related to the pattern of infection remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the blood pressure pattern among blood donors exposed to SARS-CoV-2 in Luanda, Angola, a sub-Saharan African country.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis containing 343 blood donors from December 2019 to September 2020. Parametric tests compared means while χ ² and logistic regression checked features associated with high blood pressure and were considered significant when p < 0.05.

Results: The mean age of blood donors was 32.2 ± 8.81 years (ranging from 18 to 61 years) and 93% of the men's gender. Overall, 4.7% of the studied population had been exposed to SARS-CoV-2. High blood pressure prevalence increased from unexposed to exposed SARS-CoV-2 (6.7%-18.8%, p = 0.071). SARS-CoV-2 exposure increase systole (131 ± 12.2 mmHg to 136 ± 14.2 mmHg, p = 0.098), diastole (79.9 ± 9.53 mmHg to 84.2 ± 12.7 mmHg, p = 0.086), pulse in beats per minute (72.0 ± 11.1 to 73.7 ± 8.50, p = 0.553), and decrease donating time (6.31 ± 3.72 min to 5.48 ± 1.61 min, p = 0.371). Chances of having high blood pressure were high [OR: 3.20 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.85-12.1), p = 0.086] in exposed SARS-CoV-2. Donors exposed to SARS-CoV-2 with abnormal donation time increased from the donor up to 40 years to over 40 years (from 35.7% to 50%, p = 0.696). The mean systolic, diastolic, and pulse pressure were higher for non-O donors (p > 0.05). A significant link was observed, between the Rhesus factor and blood pressure status (p = 0.032).

Conclusion: We showed important variations in blood pressure indices of the Angolan population exposed to SARS-CoV-2. Older age and non-O blood groups appear to be important biological factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection, as well as the risk of developing cardiovascular disease after or during SARS-CoV-2 exposure. Further studies assessing the impact on cardiovascular functions with ongoing or long-term SARS-CoV-2 exposure in individuals from resource-limited countries should be considered.

Keywords: ABO/Rh blood groups; Angola; Luanda; SARS‐CoV‐2; hypertension.