COVID linked to heart problem in women, study reveals

COVID-19 could leave behind a hidden problem that lingers in women’s bodies for years, a new study has found.

The research revealed the virus can prematurely age women’s blood vessels by around five years, raising their risk of heart attack and stroke later in life.

The study, published in the European Heart Journal, followed nearly 2400 adults across 16 countries.

Researchers tracked changes in artery stiffness at six and 12 months after infection, and what they found was striking.

Women who had Covid showed significant stiffening of their arteries, even when their original illness was mild. The more severe the infection, the worse the damage.

Women admitted to intensive care had the highest increase, but the effect was still seen in those who stayed at home.

Arterial stiffening matters because it is strongly linked to cardiovascular disease.

Experts estimate the five-year “aging” of blood vessels could raise the risk of heart problems by about 3 percent for a 60-year-old woman.

By comparison, the effect in men was not statistically significant.

Professor Rosa Maria Bruno of Université Paris Cité said the findings were a red flag for women’s health after Covid.

“We know that Covid can directly affect blood vessels. Our findings highlight that there may be long-term consequences, especially for women, and that we need to identify who is at risk at an early stage to prevent heart attacks and strokes.”

The study also shed light on long Covid. Women who continued to experience fatigue, breathlessness or brain fog were more likely to have signs of vascular aging.

There was some good news, though. Vaccinated people showed less arterial stiffening than those who had never received a jab, suggesting vaccines provide protection beyond preventing severe illness.

Scientists say the virus can affect the endothelium – the thin lining of blood vessels – via ACE2 receptors, with inflammation and immune responses contributing to long-term changes.

Cardiologists say the research underlines the importance of follow-up care.

Women who have had Covid, particularly those with ongoing symptoms, should be mindful of their heart health, experts say.

Regular check-ups, a healthy lifestyle, and management of blood pressure and cholesterol could all help offset the risk.

The study is one of the largest international investigations into Covid’s long-term vascular impact and adds to mounting evidence that the virus is not just a respiratory disease, but also a vascular one with lasting consequences.