COVID and Blood Vessel Aging in Women
Table of Contents
Published August 18, 2025
The Long-Term Cardiovascular Effects of COVID-19
Even a mild case of COVID-19 can leave a lasting mark on your cardiovascular health, accelerating the aging of your blood vessels. New research published in the European Heart Journal reveals a concerning link between COVID-19 infection and increased arterial stiffness, a key indicator of cardiovascular aging. This affect appears to be notably pronounced in women.
The CARTESIAN study, conducted between 2020 and 2022, followed 2,390 individuals from 16 countries. Participants were categorized into four groups: those who had never contracted COVID-19 (controls), those with mild COVID-19 who did not require hospitalization, those hospitalized with COVID-19, and those admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) due to the virus. the average age of participants was 50 years, with women comprising 49% of the study population. all participants who had COVID-19 were assessed within 90 days of their initial infection.
Researchers measured carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), a non-invasive technique that assesses the stiffness of arteries by measuring the speed at which blood pulses travel from the neck to the legs. Measurements were taken six and twelve months after the initial infection to track changes over time.
How COVID-19 Impacts Arterial Health
The study found that all groups of COVID-19 patients exhibited increased PWV, indicating stiffer arteries compared to those who had never been infected. Though, the impact was significantly more considerable in women. Women who had been treated in the ICU for COVID-19 experienced a doubling of their PWV measurements compared to women who had not contracted the virus.
Specifically, the average increase in PWV was:
- 0.55 meters per second in women with mild COVID-19
- 0.60 meters per second in hospitalized women
- 1.09 meters per second in women treated in the ICU
Researchers emphasize that an increase of just 0.5 meters per second in PWV is clinically important and equates to approximately five years of vascular aging. This means even a mild COVID-19 infection could perhaps age your arteries by five years.
| COVID-19 Severity | Average PWV Increase (m/s) – Women | Equivalent Vascular Aging (Years) |
|---|---|---|
| Mild | 0.55 | 1 |
| Hospitalized | 0.60 | 1.2 |
| ICU | 1.09 | 2.18 |
Vaccination and Sex-Specific Protection
Interestingly, the study revealed a protective effect of vaccination, but only in women. Vaccinated women exhibited significantly lower PWV readings compared to unvaccinated women (adjusted PWV of 7.35 vs. 7.71). In men, vaccination status did not demonstrate a significant association with PWV levels.
furthermore,persistent COVID-19 symptoms were linked to greater vascular aging in women,but not in men. Women experiencing long-COVID symptoms showed higher PWV readings,indicating more pronounced arterial stiffness.
why the Difference? The Role of the Immune System
Researchers believe the differing effects between men and women might potentially be linked to variations in immune response.According to Dr. rosa Maria Bruno, led author of the study from Paris City University, Women mount a more rapid and robust immune response, which can protect them from infection.However, this same response can also increase damage to blood vessels after the initial infection.
This suggests that while a stronger immune response may initially offer greater protection against the virus, it could also contribute to increased inflammation and vascular damage in women.
what This Means for Your Health
As Syed Bukhari and colleagues from Johns Hopkins University noted in an editorial accompanying the study, COVID-19 has demonstrably aged our arteries, especially in women. The challenge now lies in identifying modifiable risk factors and developing strategies to prevent and manage this accelerated vascular aging in the wake of ongoing and potential future surges of infection.
COVID-19’s vascular legacy is real, measurable, and with a plausible likelihood of sex-specific findings.
If you’ve had COVID-19, it’s more important than ever to prioritize your cardiovascular health. This includes maintaining a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise, a balanced diet, and avoiding smoking.Discuss your concerns with your healthcare provider and consider regular check-ups to monitor your blood pressure and overall cardiovascular function.