The COVID-19 pandemic was the first infection of the COVID-19 virus in humans. This means researchers are only now starting to understand the effects of the disease, how it varies between individuals, and the factors that trigger long-term symptoms.
Links between changes in blood pressure and COVID-19 infections are one of the new findings across the United States, but as research continues, the general understanding of this association may change.
Early research indicates that COVID-19 may increase your blood pressure, with females experiencing more of an increase than males.
How does COVID-19 affect blood pressure?
While scientists do not currently understand the effect of COVID-19 on blood pressure, recent research shows that in the month after a COVID-19 infection, both systolic and diastolic blood pressure increase.
Weight gain is unlikely to cause this, and currently, researchers believe other possible reasons may include emotional stress, increased alcohol consumption, and reduced exercise. This, along with other evidence, suggests that females are left with greater health difficulties following the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you already have hypertension, can COVID-19 cause greater risks?
According to a 2022 review, hypertension is the most common pre-existing condition in people affected by COVID-19.
Researchers found that if you have high blood pressure and are over the age of 60 years before a COVID-19 infection, you are more than twice as likely to experience severe symptoms of the disease.
Can COVID-19 cause a new hypertension diagnosis?
In some cases, a post-COVID-19 increase in blood pressure can lead to a new hypertension diagnosis. In a small 2022 study of 153 people with COVID-19, researchers found that participants had higher blood pressure in the period after COVID-19 compared to when they were originally admitted to the hospital. Eighteen of the participants received a new hypertension diagnosis.
However, in this study, patients were only followed up at around 1 month after having COVID-19, and more research will confirm any long-term blood pressure increase.
If you have concerns about your blood pressure after a COVID-19 infection, talk with a doctor or healthcare professional.
COVID-19 and other longer-term effects
The effects of COVID-19 on your cardiovascular system and heart can be widespread. The virus may affect your entire vascular system, which is responsible for any blood-carrying vessels in your body.
Researchers found that after infection with COVID-19, a person is at a higher risk of developing various conditions.
This increased risk does not depend on existing health or risk factors, such as whether someone smokes or already has high blood pressure.
A person may be at risk of developing other conditions after a COVID-19 infection, including:
- irregular heart rhythms, or arrhythmias
- heart muscle inflammation
- stroke
- heart attack
- heart failure
Hypertension Treatment
Treating and managing hypertension depends on the severity of your condition.
Prescription medications
Stage 2 hypertension is when your blood pressure is regularly above 140/90 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). If this is the case, a healthcare professional may recommend any of the following medications:
| Type | Names | How does it work? |
|---|---|---|
| Diuretics | hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide) Indapamide (Natrilix) | Diuretics help your kidneys to flush out excess water, sodium, or salt. This can reduce your blood volume, and lower your blood pressure. |
| Beta-blockers | Metoprolol (Lopressor) Carvedilol (Coreg) | These medications lower your blood pressure by slowing your heart rate. You can take them by injection or as an oral tablet. |
| Alpha-blockers | Doxazosin (Cardura) Prazosin (Minipress) | These medications prevent your arteries from tightening by relaxing the muscular walls of your veins. These are typically oral medications. |
| Calcium channel blockers | Amlodipine (Lotrel) Felodipine (Plendil) | These medications decrease the amount of calcium that enters your heart and arteries. Less calcium means that your heart contracts less forcefully, keeping your blood pressure lower. |
| Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) | Losartan (Cozaar) Valsartan (Diovan) | Angiotensin is a hormone that tightens the muscles of the blood vessels but also adds to salt and water retention. These medications inhibit this hormone, lowering your blood pressure by relaxing the blood vessels and reducing blood volume. |
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Get free cardLifestyle changes
Stage 1 hypertension is when your blood pressure is regularly between 130/80 mm Hg and 139/89 mm Hg. With Stage 1, it may be possible to lower your blood pressure without medications with some lifestyle strategies.
For example, you could try to ensure you:
- eat a balanced diet of vegetables and fresh fruits.
- keep sodium intake within the recommended daily allowance or reduce it if your doctor advises.
- reduce alcohol consumption if outside of the recommended daily allowance.
- reduce the amount of trans fat in your diet.
- increase your physical activity, where possible
- avoiding smoking
Learn more about the different ways to lower your blood pressure with lifestyle strategies here.
Blood pressure readings
When a healthcare professional takes a reading of your blood pressure, they express the result as two measurements.
The first, or the top number, is your systolic blood pressure and measures the pressure in your arteries as your heart contracts.
The second, or bottom number is your diastolic blood pressure and measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart relaxes.
The blood pressure measurement is millimeters of mercury (mmHg), and an optimal blood pressure reading is 120/80 mmHg.
Summary
There is evidence that COVID-19 infections may increase your blood pressure and, in some cases, cause hypertension in people with no previous history of the condition.
Having high blood pressure may also worsen symptoms of COVID-19.
Researchers do not yet fully understand the reasoning behind the effects of COVID-19 on blood pressure, but future studies could help us understand this further.
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