Abstract
The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in December 2019 marked the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, a disease known to be primarily associated with respiratory symptoms. However, as the pandemic unfolded, it became evident that SARS-CoV-2's impact extended beyond the respiratory system, infiltrating other bodily tissues, including the vascular system. Moreover, individuals with pre-existing conditions such as diabetes and hypertension were found to be more susceptible to severe and often fatal outcomes following COVID-19 infection. Clinical observations during the pandemic underscored the significance of the vasculature in COVID-19 pathology, revealing issues like hypercoagulation (excessive blood clotting), cardiomyopathy (abnormal heart muscle function), heart arrhythmias, and endothelial dysfunction (damage to the inner lining of blood vessels). In the aftermath of COVID-19, which is often referred to as post COVID, there is evidence of systemic vascular issues. However, the specific mechanisms behind these problems remain unclear, and the methods of treatment are not well-defined. This commentary offers a comprehensive examination of the available literature, presenting an analysis of the involvement of vascular issues in post-COVID situations, along with a deeper exploration
of the related mechanisms and genetic factors.
Keywords
Post-COVID-19, Vasculature, Molecular mechanisms, Vascular damage, Endothelial