One large group appeared to be at greatest risk for this vascular stiffness that ages the veins and increases heart disease risk.
Nearly six years since the Covid-19 pandemic started, doctors and scientists are still discovering its long-term effects. One major concern is post-acute Covid-19 syndrome—widely known as “long Covid”—a condition where symptoms continue for at least two months, starting three months after the initial infection. Up to 40% of people who have Covid-19 may develop long Covid symptoms, which can affect a variety of the body’s sites, case by case. A new study and its accompanying editorial are bringing awareness to possible long Covid impacts to the heart and blood vessels.
The August 2025 study, led by an international group of cardiology and pulmonology researchers and published in the European Heart Journal, investigated how Covid-19 may cause the arteries to “age” more quickly. To probe the long-term effects, the researchers measured “pulse wave velocity” (PWV), which illustrates how stiff the arteries are. Stiff arteries are a sign of vascular aging and can increase the risk of heart disease. Pulse wave velocity normally goes up with age and high blood pressure, the authors note, but this study found that even young people had higher pulse wave velocity after Covid-19.
The study followed 2,390 people from 34 clinics across 18 countries. The sample included a group who’d never tested positive for Covid, those who had a mild case, and others who were hospitalized or placed in intensive care units (ICU).
Six months after infection, all formerly Covid-positive groups showed stiffer arteries compared with the control group. The level of artery stiffness was notable “regardless of disease severity”—meaning, even milder Covid cases could later experience the effect.
A particular difference stood out: women who had Covid-19—especially those with lingering symptoms—showed significantly more vascular aging than men. The study authors say this is likely the result of inflammation, damage to the blood vessel lining, and changes in the nervous system.
In women who were admitted to the ICU, pulse wave velocity had increased by over 1.09 meters per second (m/s), which is considered a major change. In fact, a widely-cited meta-analysis of 17 studies pointed out that a 1 m/s increase in pulse wave velocity corresponds with a 14% to 15% increase in risk for cardiovascular events. These can include:
- Microvascular problems
- Increased risk of heart attack
- Blood clots in the veins
The authors of the current study report men did not show the same trends, even if they had severe Covid.
More research is needed to understand why women are more affected, and how to better predict who is at greater risk. In the meantime, the team is urging doctors to monitor heart and blood vessel health in people recovering from Covid-19, especially in women.
For the broader population, this research highlights that Covid-19 may have long-lasting effects on our blood vessels—even after the virus is gone. You can reduce your risk of a Covid infection by staying up to date on your vaccinations, practicing good hygiene habits such as frequent hand washing, not touching your face, and masking and social distancing as needed, the CDC says.
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