Summary: Following a COVID-19 infection, some patients may exhibit signs of cardiovascular system damage. The highest likelihood of developing cardiovascular complications occurs in individuals over 65 years of age, patients with COPD, diabetes mellitus, obesity, malignant tumours, and immunodeficiency conditions. Arterial hypertension (AH) is among the most prevalent conditions in older patients who have had COVID-19, with endothelial dysfunction playing a key role. Aim: to assess the main clinical and functional indicators in individuals over 60 years of age with arterial hypertension after COVID-19.

Materials and methods: The study involved 98 patients over 60 years of age, divided into 3 groups: group 1 — patients with AH who had COVID-19; group 2 — patients with AH without a history of COVID-19. A prospective cohort study was conducted, including an assessment of anamnesis data, physical, laboratory, and instrumental research methods. Patients were examined at the time of inclusion in the study and after 6 months.

Results: Individuals who had COVID-19 and AH were more likely than those without a history of infection to report weakness (69.4% vs. 43%), shortness of breath (49.3% vs. 11%), memory impairment (66% vs. 42%), anxiety and fear (73.2% vs. 49%), headaches (52% vs. 36%), palpitations (44.4% vs. 27%), and cough (41.7% vs. 23%). Four-component therapy was required for 12% of participants in the first group and 6% in the second. Significant differences were also noted in the levels of ESR (21 vs. 12 mm/h), leukocytes (7.7 vs. 7.110⁹/L), platelets (230 vs. 20910⁹/L), creatinine (95.2 vs. 83 µmol/L), uric acid (345 vs. 273 µmol/L), total cholesterol (5.54 vs. 4.8 mmol/L), and LDL (3.34 vs. 2.85 mmol/L). ECG assessment revealed a more frequent presence of atrial fibrillation in the first group compared to the second (9.7% and 2.1%) and sinus tachycardia (22.6% and 6.3%). Significant differences were observed during ABPM — an increase in the average daily systolic blood pressure, variability of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, as well as disturbances in blood pressure regulation in the first group. Within 6 months after inclusion in the study, complications developed in 54% of patients in group 1 and 7% in group 2. Of these: stroke occurred in 16.7% (group 1) and 2.7% (group 2); myocardial infarction in 9.5% (group 1) and was not observed in the second group; pulmonary embolism in 9.5% (group 1) and 2.8% (group 2). Complications also included the development of refractory hypertension, which occurred in 31% of group 1 participants and 5.6% of group 2 patients.

Conclusions: Patients of older age groups with AH who had COVID-19 (group 1) had significant changes compared to patients with AH (group 2) based on the results of laboratory and instrumental research methods, as well as a higher risk of developing cardiovascular complications.

To be updated