The health scare brought on by COVID-19 doesn't stop with the respiratory illness. A new study has revealed there were concerning numbers of Americans, especially among the women, more than the men, who developed high blood pressure during the pandemic.
Dr. Luke Laffin and his team at the Center for Blood Pressure Disorders looked into the blood pressure readings of 464,585 Americans in 50 states via an employer-sponsored wellness program between 2019 and 2020. The expert also compared the data from April 2020 to December 2020, or the first and second waves of the infection.
They discovered that nearly everyone's data showed elevated readings, especially during the periods of lockdowns. In a statement, Laffin said that high blood pressure was "more pronounced" among the women than the men, but there were no indications that this was related to weight gain or poor diet. He said that while they cannot pinpoint the exact reasons, his team surmised that the stress of the pandemic led to more women changing their eating, drinking, and even recreational habits.
"There's data to suggest that the pandemic has tended to place more of an outsized burden on women," Laffin said, adding that "settings of chronic stress" can significantly drive high blood pressure.
More Worries from the Experts
A blood pressure reading is considered normal at 120/80. However, the experts learned that the elevation tipped by 1.10 to 2.50 with each pandemic month.
Looking at the numbers outright might not cause an alarm as the increases are not high. Yet Laffin warned that even a small increase puts anyone at risk since high blood pressure is known as "the silent killer" without any obvious symptoms.
During the pandemic, working moms were under extreme stress because of the demands of their jobs and their household chores. Padding on their duties was guiding their kids during the remote learning phase. The study authors believe that this left moms with little time to look after their diet, exercise routines, and even their annual visits for their regular health checks, even as medical services were available online.
Laffin also said that even as some semblance of normalcy has returned nearly 18 months after the first wave of COVID-19, high blood pressure among the women will stay high or even rise in the next three to five years if moms continue to ignore their health.
What Moms Must Do
The expert advised moms and those at risk for hypertension to be familiar with their blood pressure numbers. They need to monitor this at home and then get regular medical attention even if they do not experience any symptoms of an illness.
When left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to damages and other diseases that affect the heart or the brain and the kidneys, the eyes, the blood vessels, and even sexual function.
Cardiologist Dr. Kim Williams told the New York Times that even before the pandemic, high blood pressure or hypertension had been an epidemic in certain populations in the U.S., especially moms from low-income families. Despite improved therapies, he believes the gap may have widened because of COVID-19.
The experts further reminded adults that there are "health consequences from not seeing your doctor regularly." The consequences will be profound now more than ever because of the public health crisis.
The experts published their study in the Circulation journal.
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