Covid's Hidden Impact: Blood Vessel Aging and Dementia Risk

Covid-19 isn't just a respiratory illness; it can also speed up the aging of your blood vessels. This process, known as vascular aging, makes blood vessels stiff and less effective at carrying oxygen. Normally, this happens as we get older, but Covid can fast-track it, even in mild cases. A recent study involving over 2, 300 people from around the world found that Covid can make blood vessels age up to five years faster. This is a big deal because vascular aging is linked to serious health issues like heart disease, strokes, and even dementia. The study also found that women were more affected than men. The good news is that getting vaccinated can help. People who were vaccinated had less stiff arteries compared to those who weren't. Over time, their vascular age seemed to stabilize or even improve slightly. So, how does Covid speed up vascular aging? One theory is that the virus interacts with certain receptors in the blood vessels, causing dysfunction. Another possibility is that the body's immune response to the virus contributes to the aging process. The study used a device to measure the speed of blood flow from the neck to the legs. The faster the flow, the stiffer the blood vessels. They found that even a mild Covid infection could lead to a significant increase in vascular age. But there's hope. Lifestyle changes, along with medications to lower blood pressure and cholesterol, can help address vascular aging. The researchers plan to continue studying the participants to see if this accelerated aging leads to more heart attacks and strokes. In the meantime, it's clear that Covid's impact goes beyond the initial infection. It's a reminder to take care of our health, especially our blood vessels, in the long run.