People with long COVID are significantly more likely to develop high blood pressure, according to a major Swedish registry study. Among over 1.2 million non-hospitalised adults, those with physician-diagnosed long COVID had a 14% higher risk of developing hypertension. The findings suggest COVID-19 may trigger lasting vascular changes — and that long COVID patients may need more frequent blood pressure monitoring.
A large Swedish population-based study has found that non-hospitalised adults diagnosed with long COVID face a meaningfully elevated risk of developing hypertension compared to those without the condition. Researchers analysed data from over 1.2 million adults with no prior history of hypertension, tracking them between October 2020 and January 2025. Of the 8,365 individuals diagnosed with long COVID, both men and women showed significantly higher rates of new-onset high blood pressure.
The researchers suggest that SARS-CoV-2 infection may trigger or worsen long-term vascular and autonomic dysfunction — disrupting the body's ability to regulate blood pressure over time. The association was particularly pronounced in older adults and those with diabetes, pointing to higher-risk subgroups that may warrant extra vigilance.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: As millions worldwide continue to live with long COVID, this study adds cardiovascular risk to the growing list of long-term consequences. Clinicians may need to prioritise routine blood pressure checks for long COVID patients — even those who were never hospitalised.
