The Medium and Long-Term Effects of COVID-19 on the Non-Dipper Blood Pressure Pattern

Ozan Oğuz, Ali Can Özkan, Mehmet Akif Erdöl, Çağrı Yayla, Adnan Burak Akçay, Ahmet Göktuğ Ertem

Abstract

Objectives: Although the COVID-19 pandemic has ended, its long-term cardiovascular effects remain unclear. This study evaluated persistent changes in blood pressure (BP) patterns among recovered COVID-19 patients.
Methods: Data from 50 COVID-19 (+) and 42 COVID-19 (−) patients recruited between January 2020–March 2021 were retrospectively analysed. Ambulatory BP monitoring was performed between January 2023–February 2024. The primary endpoint was the prevalence of the non-dipper BP pattern.
Results: Hypertension was present in 18 (36.0%) COVID-19 (+) and 16 (38.1%) COVID-19 (−) patients. COVID-19 (+) patients had lower daytime systolic BP (121.62 ± 11.65 vs. 133.36 ± 15.56 mmHg; p<0.001) and nighttime systolic BP (109.3 ± 11.00 vs. 122.86 ± 14.96 mmHg; p<0.001), with similar trends in diastolic BP. Non-dipper BP was more frequent in COVID-19 (+) patients (36.0% vs. 11.9%; p = 0.008).
Conclusion: COVID-19 may promote the non-dipper BP pattern, highlighting the need for long-term monitoring and early cardiovascular risk management.