For COVID Survivors, the Fight's Not Over: Watching Your Blood Pressure
This article is medically reviewed by Dr Valery Feigin | Professor of Neurology & Epidemiology and Director of NISAN (National Institute for Stroke and Applied Neurosciences), Auckland University of Technology
The recent COVID-19 pandemic has caused a handful of health challenges like respiratory conditions and mental health conditions. Although there has been a slowdown in the virus spreading, our fight is still going on. One of which is the rising risk for cardiovascular problems such as high blood pressure caused by the aftereffects of COVID-19. This constitutes the importance of home blood pressure monitoring for individuals who have recovered from COVID.
COVID's Cardiovascular Impacts
Research done by
NIH has shown that individuals who have contracted COVID-19 previously, experience an increased risk for developing new cardiovascular issues such as high blood pressure, heart attacks, and strokes in the months after their infection. The virus leads to widespread inflammation, blood clotting, and damage to the cardiovascular system. This leads to a rise in the development of high blood pressure.
Dr Shimbo of Columbia University has also mentioned that COVID-19 survivors must be more alert in monitoring their blood pressure.
Benefits of Home Monitoring
Regularly checking your blood pressure consistently with a home blood pressure monitor can bring numerous
benefits, especially for those recovering from COVID-19:
● Catches new or worsening hypertension early before complications arise
● Eliminates white-coat hypertension effect from office visits
● Provides a log of readings to share with your doctor
● Allows for remote monitoring during contagious periods
● Reduces exposure risk compared to frequent office visits
Dr Wozniak, AMA’s director, has noted that self-measured blood pressure monitoring has grown in importance since pre-pandemic. However, it has become even more crucial given the lasting cardiovascular effects of COVID.
Take Readings at the Right Times
When monitoring blood pressure from home, timing is crucial. As
Mayo Clinic stated, the two best timings to take the readings are in the morning before taking medication, food or conducting any exercise and evening readings before bedtime. Blood pressure fluctuates throughout the day, so capturing readings at different times gives your doctor a more complete picture.
Monitoring Your Health
Although COVID-19 is a respiratory illness, it has a larger impact on the survivors. Keeping a close outlook on your blood pressure through home monitoring is an important step in protecting your overall cardiovascular health during the recovery process. With
OMRON blood pressure monitors, we empower individuals to actively manage their post-COVID recovery and overall heart health consistently.
