New-Onset Hypertension Following COVID-19 Among Aseer Residents, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Community-Based Screening.

BACKGROUND

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has raised concerns about its long-term health impacts, including its potential association with new-onset hypertension. This study aimed to investigate the association between COVID-19 and the development of new-onset hypertension among residents of the Aseer region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, using a community-based approach.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was carried out involving participants aged 18 and older who did not have any communication issues. Data were collected using structured questionnaires that included demographic, health-related, and COVID-19-specific data. Blood pressure and body mass index (BMI) measurements were also taken. Hypertension was defined based on either a documented history or new findings during the survey. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 27, with a p-value < 0.05 considered significant.

RESULTS

We included 333 participants, 39.6% aged 18-34 years, 55.0% were males, 63.7% were married, 76.0% held a university/postgraduate degree, 84.7% were non-healthcare workers, 77.8% were permanent residents of Aseer, 98.8% were Saudi nationals, and 60.7% got infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Among the surveyed population, 185 individuals reported SARS-CoV-2 infection without a prior history of hypertension. Of these, 8.1% developed new-onset hypertension following infection. Age was a significant sociodemographic factor associated with new-onset hypertension following COVID-19 (p = 0.015), with prevalence increasing among older age groups. Additionally, dyslipidemia showed a significant association with new-onset hypertension (p = 0.031).

CONCLUSION

The findings suggest that COVID-19 infection may increase the risk of new-onset hypertension. This highlights the importance of post-COVID-19 monitoring and management of blood pressure in individuals affected by the disease. The study underscores the need for additional research to comprehend the long-term cardiovascular effects of COVID-19 in the general population.