LAUSR

Previous studies have reported detrimental effects of COVID-19 on the peripheral vasculature. However, reports on blood pressure (BP) are inconsistent and measurements made only in the laboratory setting. To date, no studies have measured ambulatory BP. Additionally, in previous studies, time since COVID-19 diagnosis among participants varied across a wide range, potentially contributing to the inconsistent BP results. Thus, we aimed to perform a comprehensive assessment of BP and BP variability using ambulatory and laboratory (brachial and central) measurements in young adults who had COVID-19. We hypothesized that ambulatory BP would be elevated post-COVID-19, and that measures of BP would be inversely related with time since diagnosis. Twenty-eight young adults who had COVID-19 (11 ± 6 [range 3 to 22] weeks since diagnosis) and 10 controls were studied. Ambulatory daytime, nighttime, and 24-hr systolic BP, diastolic BP, and mean BP were not different between control and COVID groups (e.g., daytime systolic BP: control,122 ± 12 mmHg; COVID,122 ± 10 mmHg; P = 0.787). Similar results were observed for laboratory BPs (all P > 0.05). However, ambulatory daytime, nighttime, and 24-hr BPs as well as laboratory brachial BPs were inversely correlated with time since COVID-19 diagnosis (e.g., daytime systolic BP: r = -0.444; P = 0.044, nighttime systolic BP: r = -0.518; P = 0.016). Ambulatory and laboratory measured BP variability were not different between groups nor correlated with time since diagnosis. Collectively, these data suggest that adverse effects of COVID-19 on BP in young adults are minimal and likely transient.