An international study reveals an accelerated aging of the arteries, especially in women

A vast study coordinated by the professor ROSA MARIA BRUNO (Paris Cité University), published on August 17, 2025 in theEuropean Heart Journal brings new evidence to the long-term effects of COVVI-19. Meanwhile, The work. However, entitled CARTESIAN (COVID-19 effects on ARTErial StIffness and vascular AgeiNg)highlights a worrying phenomenon: Sars-Cov-2 infection leads to a Accelerated aging of blood vesselsparticularly marked in women.

An international and multicenter cohort – International study reveals accelerated aging

Led 34 centers across 16 countries (including France, Italy, Greece, Mexico, Canada or the United Kingdom), the study recruited 2 390 participants Between September 2020 and February 2022, with an average age of 50 (49 % of women).

The participants were divided into four groups:

• Witnesses without infection (n = 391);
• Positive cases not hospitalized (n = 828);
• patients hospitalized international study reveals accelerated aging in conventional service (n = 729);
• Patients passed in resuscitation (n = 146).

Their Carotid-femoral pulse speed (PWV)a non -invasive marker of arterial rigidity was measured six months after the infection, then in part of them after twelve months.

Clear results: five years of vascular aging in addition

After statistical adjustment (age, cardiovascular risk factors, countries), researchers observed that All COVID groups presented a significantly higher PWV than witnesses.

• +0.41 m/s in non-hospitalized,
• +0.37 m/s in conventional service,
• +0.40 m/s in resuscitation.

However, an increase of 0.5 m/s corresponds to approximately Five years of vascular aging And increases the cardiovascular risk of a 60 -year -old. woman by 3 %.

By analyzing the sexes separately, the study reveals a significantly more pronounced effect in women :

• +0.55 m/s for non international study reveals accelerated aging -hospitalized cases,
• +0.60 m/s for simple hospitalizations,
• +1.09 m/s after a resuscitation.

These figures reflect vascular aging that can go as far as ten years lost. In men, on the other hand, the differences were not significant.

In addition, women reporting persistent symptoms (fatigue, shortness of breath) had an even higher arterial rigidity, regardless of the initial severity of the infection.

Partially reversible effects

At one year, the arterial rigidity of COVID patients tended to stabilize or decrease, suggesting a some reversibility. The witnesses, themselves, continued the expected aging linked to age.

Vaccination also seemed to have a protective effect in women, with less rigidity compared to non -vacinated.

Several mechanisms could be involved:

• direct action of the virus on ACE2 receivers present in the vascular walls,
• l’persistent inflammation,
• A faster international study reveals accelerated aging and more intense female immune response, which protects in the short term but could increase long -term vascular lesions.

This research confirms that the COVID-19 leaves a Sustainable imprint on the cardiovascular systemand that there is a real “long vascular Covid” touching up to 40 % of survivors.

The authors recommend:

• a increased monitoring COVID patients, especially women with persistent symptoms;
• Classic preventive measures: lifestyle, tension control, cholesterol management;
• Better taking into account these effects in public health policies.

The study CARTESIAN continues its follow -up to determine whether this arterial aging will result in an increase in infarction and stroke in the years to come.

Photo credit: DR (Illustration Photo)
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