High blood pressure and blood clots: Causes and factors related to LPCVS
Increased Cases of High Blood Pressure After COVID-19
Chronic Inflammation
COVID-19 triggers a strong inflammatory response. When inflammation persists in the body, it can damage the cells lining our blood vessels. This damage can result in high blood pressure.
This chronic inflammation raises pressure in blood vessels and makes arteries stiff, resulting in long-term high blood pressure.
Problems with the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS)
The SARS-CoV-2 virus attaches to ACE2 receptors, which are part of the RAAS. This attachment disrupts the balance between angiotensin II and angiotensin 1-7, causing blood vessels to narrow and blood pressure to rise.
When ACE2 activity decreases, levels of angiotensin II increase, leading to high blood pressure.
Dysfunction of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
COVID-19 can impact our body's autonomic nervous system, which controls many of our involuntary functions, like heart rate and blood pressure.
When this system is affected, it can lead to an increase in stress responses, making the heart beat faster and raising blood pressure. At the same time, it can reduce the body's ability to relax and recover, which is managed by another part of this system.
Increased Blood Clot Formation After COVID-19
Endothelial Damage
COVID-19 and inflammation damage endothelial cells, creating a state that encourages blood clotting. The damaged endothelium becomes more attractive to platelets and white blood cells, leading to clots.
This damage raises the risk of blood clots in the heart, brain, and other parts of the body.
Increased Blood Clotting
COVID-19 is linked to higher levels of clotting factors, fibrinogen, and D-dimer. The virus and the body’s immune response can create a state that encourages excessive clotting.
Higher clotting factors and slower breakdown of clots lead to more blood clot formation.
Activation of Platelets
The inflammatory response and direct interaction with the virus can activate platelets, making them more likely to stick together and form clots.
This activation increases the formation of small blood clots, contributing to clots in various organs.
Connection Between High Blood Pressure and Blood Clots
High blood pressure can harm blood vessel walls, making them more likely to develop fat deposits (plaques). If these plaques break open, they can cause clots.
High blood pressure also increases stress on the walls of arteries, which can hurt the endothelium and promote clots.
Conclusion
High blood pressure and increased blood clot risk in COVID-19 survivors are linked through inflammation, issues in the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS), blood vessel damage, and heightened platelet activity.
Understanding these connections is vital for creating targeted treatments, making regular monitoring and management of blood pressure and clotting risks important for these individuals.
