AIIMS and IIT Madras Study Reveals Blood Pressure Instability in COVID-19 Survivors
AIIMS and IIT Madras Study Reveals Blood Pressure Instability in COVID-19 Survivors
A joint study by the All India Institute Of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and the Indian Institute Of Technology Madras has identified significant aftereffects of COVID-19, particularly concerning blood pressure instability in patients recovering from the virus. The research focused on understanding how COVID-19 impacts the normal blood pressure control mechanisms in individuals who have recovered from mild COVID-19 infections.
Key Findings of the Study
The study found that patients recovering from COVID-19 often experience instability in their blood pressure, leading to symptoms like dizziness and palpitations when standing up. This instability is linked to compromised blood pressure control mechanisms, particularly due to the stiffening of large arteries where blood pressure sensors are located. These findings underscore the importance of monitoring the long-term cardiovascular health of COVID-19 survivors.
Importance of Monitoring Cardiovascular Health
Dr. Dinu S Chandran, Additional Professor at the Department of Physiology, AIIMS Delhi and the corresponding author of the paper, emphasized the need for health systems to be vigilant of the cardiac and vascular health of COVID survivors. This vigilance should include periodic check-ups and monitoring using non-invasive methods.
Collaborative Effort and Technology Used in the Study
The study was a collaborative effort involving the Department of Medicine at AIIMS Delhi and the Healthcare Technology Innovation Centre at IIT Madras. A significant aspect of the research was the use of ARTSENS, an Indian technology developed by IIT Madras for assessing arterial stiffness. Dr. Jayaraj Joseph, Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering at IIT Madras, highlighted the role of ARTSENS as a field-validated, non-invasive device crucial for advancing research in vascular aging and preventive health practices.
Findings on Gender Differences
The study also revealed gender differences in the post-COVID effects, with male COVID-19 survivors showing more prominent and consistent observations of carotid artery stiffness and impaired arterial baroreflex sensitivity, compared to female survivors. This sex-dependent correlation suggests that post-COVID stiffening of barosensitive regions of central arteries might be associated with baroreflex dysfunction.
