Hypertensive men with previous mild COVID-19 exhibit increased cardiovascular variability and reduced autonomic complexity
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v83.118344Keywords:
COVID-19, Hypertension, Autonomic Nervous System, Sympathetic nervous system, cardiovascular autonomic control, heart rate variabilityAbstract
Introduction: The impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular autonomic regulation in individuals with systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) remains poorly understood. Given that hypertension is itself associated with autonomic cardiovascular alterations, SARS-CoV-2 infection may further affect autonomic regulation in this population.
Objective: To investigate the long-term effects of mild COVID-19 on cardiovascular autonomic parameters in hypertensive men, with a particular focus on heart rate variability (HRV).
Methods: Participants were allocated into two age-matched groups based on anthropometric profile, physical fitness, and pharmacological treatment, being: hypertensive individuals evaluated before the COVID-19 pandemic (SAH group, n=40), and hypertensive individuals assessed at least 12 months after mild COVID-19 (SAH-COV group, n=47). Anthropometric, hemodynamic, and metabolic assessments were performed, along with continuous heart rate and blood pressure recordings obtained by electrocardiography and photoplethysmography.
Results: Compared with the SAH group, the SAH-COV group exhibited higher HRV variance (1995±1634 vs. 1304±829 ms², p = 0.031), greater low-frequency power in absolute units (632±572 vs. 376±270 ms², p = 0.012), higher 0V% (39.0±14.2 vs. 30.9±12.8 %, p = 0.007), and greater SD2 values (40.4±15.3 vs. 32.2±12.4 ms, p = 0.013). Additionally, the SAH-COV group presented lower entropy indices and reduced baroreflex effectiveness.
Conclusion: Hypertensive men with a previous history of mild COVID-19 exhibited persistent alterations in cardiovascular autonomic regulation characterized by increased cardiovascular variability, reduced physiological complexity, and lower baroreflex effectiveness. These findings suggest that the long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection may contribute to autonomic cardiovascular dysregulation in hypertensive individuals.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Naiara Chinellato, Ana Catarine Veiga, Stella Vieira Philbois, Tabata de Paula Facioli, Anna Julia Lima Landucci, Julia Aparecida Spigolon de Paula, Hugo Celso Dutra de Souza
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