In:
American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, American Physiological Society, Vol. 325, No. 3 ( 2023-09-01), p. R269-R279
Abstract:
Previous studies show that COVID-19 survivors have elevated muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA), endothelial dysfunction, and aortic stiffening. However, the neurovascular responses to mental stress and exercise are still unexplored. We hypothesized that COVID-19 survivors, compared with age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched control subjects, exhibit abnormal neurovascular responses to mental stress and physical exercise. Fifteen severe COVID-19 survivors (aged: 49 ± 2 yr, BMI: 30 ± 1 kg/m 2 ) and 15 well-matched control subjects (aged: 46 ± 3 yr, BMI: 29 ± 1 kg/m 2 ) were studied. MSNA (microneurography), forearm blood flow (FBF), and forearm vascular conductance (FVC, venous occlusion plethysmography), mean arterial pressure (MAP, Finometer), and heart rate (HR, ECG) were measured during a 3-min mental stress (Stroop Color-Word Test) and during a 3-min isometric handgrip exercise (30% of maximal voluntary contraction). During mental stress, MSNA (frequency and incidence) responses were higher in COVID-19 survivors than in controls ( P 〈 0.001), and FBF and FVC responses were attenuated ( P 〈 0.05). MAP was similar between the groups ( P 〉 0.05). In contrast, the MSNA (frequency and incidence) and FBF and FVC responses to handgrip exercise were similar between the groups ( P 〉 0.05). MAP was lower in COVID-19 survivors ( P 〈 0.05). COVID-19 survivors exhibit an exaggerated MSNA and blunted vasodilatory response to mental challenge compared with healthy adults. However, the neurovascular response to handgrip exercise is preserved in COVID-19 survivors. Overall, the abnormal neurovascular control in response to mental stress suggests that COVID-19 survivors may have an increased risk to cardiovascular events during mental challenge.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0363-6119
,
1522-1490
DOI:
10.1152/ajpregu.00111.2023
Language:
English
Publisher:
American Physiological Society
Publication Date:
2023
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1477297-8
SSG:
12
