One-Year Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown-Related Factors on Cardiovascular Risk and Mental Health: A Population-Based Cohort Study

Abstract

Lockdown measures have obvious psychological impacts, which could, in turn, increase cardiovascular risk. We assessed the association between lockdown-related factors and the worsening of cardiovascular risk, incident anxiety and depression during 12 months’ follow-up. During lockdown (April–May 2020), 534 subjects, aged 50–89 years, were included in the PSYCOV-CV study (NCT04397835) and followed for up to 12 months post-lockdown. We found that participants with symptoms of depression during lockdown were more likely to report increased cardiovascular drug treatment (Odds-Ratio (OR) = 5.08 (1.78–14.5), p = 0.002), decreased physical activity (OR = 1.76 (1.10–2.82), p = 0.019) and weight gain (OR = 1.85 (1.08–3.17), p = 0.024) after lockdown. Moreover, changes in sleep patterns (OR = 2.35 (1.13–4.88), p = 0.022) or living in a rural area during lockdown (OR = 1.70 (0.96–3.03, p = 0.069) were associated with higher incident depression, whereas a better relationship with one’s partner during lockdown was associated with less incident depression (OR = 0.56 (0.29–1.08), p = 0.084). Finally, we found that continuing to work during lockdown in a role requiring in-person contact with the public (such as cashiers, nurses or physicians) was associated with more incident anxiety after lockdown (OR = 3.38 (1.12–10.2), p = 0.031). Interestingly, decreased consumption of alcohol during lockdown was associated with less incident anxiety (OR = 0.30 (0.10–0.90), p = 0.032). Our study, conducted in a representative sample of an age group at increased risk of both cardiovascular disease and severe COVID-19, increases the understanding of modifiable factors associated with the health impacts of lockdown measures.

Association of COVID-19 With Major Arterial and Venous Thrombotic Diseases: A Population-Wide Cohort Study of 48 Million Adults in England and Wales

“…Like other studies of vascular disease risk after COVID-19 infection, 4 , 7 , 8 , 16 this study found that incidence of arterial thromboses and VTEs was markedly elevated in the first 1 to 2 weeks after COVID-19 diagnosis and declined with time from diagnosis. Two self-controlled case series studies found that excluding cases of arterial thromboses or VTEs recorded on the first day of COVID-19 diagnosis attenuated the early relative incidence associated with COVID-19.…”

The pharmaceutical industry is dangerous to health. Further proof with COVID-19

“…[ 96 , 107 ] Moreover, the worsening of cardiovascular risks (increased smoking, medication use, and decreased physical activity), the rise in anxiety and depression, induced by the lockdowns, are still visible 1 year later. [ 14 ]…”

“…[96,107] Moreover, the worsening of cardiovascular risks (increased smoking, medication use, and decreased physical activity), the rise in anxiety and depression, induced by the lockdowns, are still visible 1 year later. [14] Concerning facemasks, studies have shown that outside of health-care settings, mask use offers little to no protection against SARS-CoV-2, [23,98,112] but that it can induce many physiological complications. Indeed, the prolonged wearing of a mask (cloth, surgical, FFP2 (N95)) inevitably leads to all the repercussions associated with hypoxia and hypercapnia.…”

The impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on well‐being of seniors attending online programs at University of the Third Age: a follow‐up study

“…Studies on the impact of those restrictions on mood and quality of life of older individuals are generally based on cohort data or cross‐sectional studies. 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 Generally, follow‐up studies in older individuals included post‐onset of the COVID‐related restrictions. Further, studies in older participants of U3A are mostly cross‐sectional.…”

“…The impact of those restrictions on the mood and quality of life of older individuals is not clear. Studies on the impact of those restrictions on mood and quality of life of older individuals are generally based on cohort data or cross‐sectional studies 11–20 . Generally, follow‐up studies in older individuals included post‐onset of the COVID‐related restrictions.…”