Sex Linked Differences in Blood Pressure Indices (Mean Arterial Pressure and Pulse Pressure) of COVID-19 Patients After Six Minute Walk Test

Abstract

Objective: The study was aimed to assess the sex-linked differences in the Blood Pressure Indices (BPI) i.e., Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) and Pulse Pressure (PP) of COVID patients after 6 Minute Walk Test (6MWT).

Study type, settings & duration: This observational study was conducted in the Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar from December 2021 to April 2022.  

Methodology: There were 54 participants (21 Females and 33 Males). Participants with previous COVID-19 infection with a cut off of 3 months post COVID, were included in the study. The participant’s Heart Rate and Blood Pressure were recorded both before and after performing 6MWT.

Results: Both pre and post stress comparison of mean difference between post COVID males and females, was significant for MAP (Post-Stress p =0.002 and Pre-Stress p =0.01) only. PP and HR did not show any significant differences between the males vs females in both pre and post stress phase. While, post COVID females had a higher HR than males in both pre and post phase. General Linear regression model was developed while controlling for age and to check the relation between MAP, PP and HR. R squared came out to be 0.648 while MAP was significant with a p value = 0.012.

Conclusion: This study found a significant difference in Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) between male and female COVID-19 patients after a 6-minute walk test, suggesting sex-based variations in blood pressure response post-infection. Further research with larger samples is needed to explore the clinical............