Late effects of SARS-COVID19 on heart rate variability and baroreflex sensitivity in hypertensive patients

• Grant number: 22/07172-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2022
• End date: August 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Hugo Celso Dutra de Souza
• Grantee: Julia Aparecida Spigolon de Paula
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome by Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), called COVID-19, causes systemic inflammation, with different levels of severity and secondary and late impairments including on the cardiovascular autonomic regulation. However, individuals with previous cardiovascular comorbidities may have more severe outcomes in relation to cardiovascular autonomic regulation. Aim: Thus, the aim of the study is to investigate the late effects of COVID-19 on cardiovascular autonomic parameters in hypertensive volunteers, with emphasis on heart rate variability (HRV) and baroreflex sensitivity (SBR). Methods: 90 hypertensive men (35 to 55 years old) who had COVID-19 for more than 6 months will be divided into three groups (N=30): group affected by COVID-19 and who had severe complications, including low O2 saturation; group affected by COVID-19 who had mild symptoms; and asymptomatic group. All groups will be submitted to the following experimental procedures: anthropometry, recording of hemodynamic parameters, assessment of cardiorespiratory fitness through the cardiopulmonary test; assessment of SBS; and analysis of HRV.