Your browser doesn't support javascript.
The impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular health behaviors in student veterans.
Canjar, Matthew R; Richard, Dylan L; Kappus, Rebecca M.
  • Canjar MR; Cardiovascular Research Laboratory, Department of Health and Exercise Science, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, USA.
  • Richard DL; Cardiovascular Research Laboratory, Department of Health and Exercise Science, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, USA.
  • Kappus RM; Cardiovascular Research Laboratory, Department of Health and Exercise Science, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, USA. Electronic address: kappusrm@appstate.edu.
Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis ; 32(3): 727-733, 2022 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1586925
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND

AIMS:

Pandemics have previously resulted in increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. It is unclear if the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic will be amplified in individuals at high risk for cardiovascular disease, such as military populations, resulting in augmented cardiovascular events in Veterans. The purpose of this study was to determine if traditional behavioral risk factors for cardiovascular disease are amplified due to the COVID-19 pandemic and if risk factors are more prevalent in Veterans compared to non-Veterans. METHODS AND

RESULTS:

Thirty-two student Veterans and 46 non-Veteran students between the ages of 18 and 35 completed a Qualtrics self-report questionnaire assessing health behaviors, physical activity, and mental health both before and during COVID-19. Veterans displayed worse pre-COVID cardiovascular health behaviors such as poor sleep habits, greater use of tobacco, alcohol, and energy drinks, and lower values of social engagement compared to non-Veterans. Many health behaviors remained unchanged in student Veterans during the pandemic. The non-Veteran group exhibited augmentation of cardiovascular health behaviors during COVID-19, shown through the worsening sleep habits, increased anxiety, and reduced physical activity.

CONCLUSION:

Student Veterans demonstrate heightened risk for cardiovascular disease based on the pre-COVID elevation of behavioral risk factors. These behavioral factors continued to remain elevated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Non-Veteran students displayed amplification of behavioral risk factors for cardiovascular disease due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These results highlight the need for resources and interventions for our student veterans and suggest long-term cardiovascular consequences for all students who suffered through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Subject(s)
Keywords

Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Students / Veterans / Health Behavior / COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Qualitative research Limits: Adolescent / Adult / Humans / Young adult Language: English Journal: Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis Journal subject: Vascular Diseases / Cardiology / Nutritional Sciences / Metabolism Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: J.numecd.2021.12.017

Similar

MEDLINE

...
LILACS

LIS


Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Students / Veterans / Health Behavior / COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Qualitative research Limits: Adolescent / Adult / Humans / Young adult Language: English Journal: Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis Journal subject: Vascular Diseases / Cardiology / Nutritional Sciences / Metabolism Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: J.numecd.2021.12.017