Many Who Had Mild COVID-19 Found to Have Ongoing Damage to Their Blood Vessels and Lungs Even Two Years On!
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jul 20, 2025 6 hours, 9 minutes ago
Medical News: Ongoing Damage Found in Blood Vessels and Lungs After COVID Recovery
Researchers from the Federal University of São Carlos and the University of Brasília in Brazil have released concerning findings about how long COVID continues to affect patients years after their initial infection. In a new study, scientists have confirmed that even two years after recovering from COVID-19, many individuals still experience major problems in how their lungs and blood vessels function.
Many Who Had Mild COVID-19 Found to Have Ongoing Damage to Their Blood Vessels and Lungs Even Two Years On!
The study specifically examined how lung performance influences vascular health. This
Medical News report explains that long COVID may be more dangerous than many assume, especially in how it weakens blood vessels and increases heart-related risks.
The Study and What Was Done
In this observational study, 32 participants who had recovered from COVID-19—without needing hospitalization—were tested more than two years after their initial illness. The average age of participants was about 56 years, with women making up 59% of the group. On average, the group had been infected over 32 months prior to testing.
Each person underwent lung function testing and vascular testing using a method called flow-mediated dilation (FMD), which measures how well blood vessels expand in response to blood flow. A lower FMD score indicates poor blood vessel health, which is linked to cardiovascular problems.
Worrying Results and Key Findings
The researchers discovered that lung function remained affected in many participants. One specific measure, called KCO, which checks how efficiently lungs can transfer oxygen, was closely tied to the size of blood vessels in a relaxed state.
In fact, KCO alone explained 29% of the changes seen in the participants’ blood vessel diameters. This means that poor lung function is strongly influencing how the blood vessels behave, even years after infection.
Additionally, the average FMD scores indicated that many participants still had impaired endothelial function. The endothelium is the thin layer of cells that line blood vessels, and damage here can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and blood clots.
Why It Matters for Long COVID Sufferers
Even though none of the participants had been hospitalized, they still showed significant long-term damage. This is especially alarming because it suggests that even mild COVID-19 infections can leave behind lasting effects on both lung and cardiovascular systems. Many reported ongoing issues like fatigue and difficulty with daily tasks—symptoms measured by the Post-COVID-19 Functional Status Scale.
The research stresses the importance of keeping a close eye on people who have recovered from COVID-19, even if they weren’t seriously ill during
the initial infection. Long COVID is proving to be a slow-moving threat to heart and lung health.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Heart and Lung
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S014795632500161X
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