New Study Links COVID-19 to Accelerated Blood Vessel Aging, Particularly in Women

image via Medical Daily

August 18, 2025, 3:03 PM

• •COVID-19 infection may accelerate blood vessel aging, increasing cardiovascular risk.
• •The effect is most pronounced in women and those with Long Covid.
• •Changes in vessel stiffness tended to stabilize or lessen over time.
• •Vaccinated individuals showed milder changes than those unvaccinated.

Research indicates that COVID-19 can accelerate the aging of blood vessels, potentially elevating cardiovascular risk, with effects comparable to about five years of aging. The study, involving over 2,000 participants, revealed that women and individuals with Long Covid experienced the most significant changes in vessel stiffness. While vessel stiffness tended to stabilize or decrease over time, vaccinated individuals showed milder changes compared to unvaccinated ones. Further research is needed to understand the long-term impacts and mechanisms of this effect.

Read original article