The impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular health behaviors in student veterans

• Published in: Nutrition, metabolism, and cardiovascular diseases metabolism, and cardiovascular diseases, 2022-03, Vol.32 (3), p.727-733
• Main Authors: Canjar, Matthew R., Richard, Dylan L., Kappus, Rebecca M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Anxiety; Cardiovascular disease; Cardiovascular Diseases - epidemiology; COVID-19; COVID-19 - epidemiology; Health Behavior; Heart Disease Risk Factors; Humans; Pandemics; Sleep; Stress; Student Veteran; Students - psychology; Students - statistics & numerical data; Veterans - psychology; Veterans - statistics & numerical data; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0939-4753; 1590-3729
• DOI: 10.1016/j.numecd.2021.12.017

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. 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. 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. •Pandemics have been shown to increase cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.•The COVID-19 pandemic increased cardiovascular risk factors in students.•COVID worsened sleep, reduced social engagement and exercise, and increased anxiety.•Young student Veterans exhibit heightened risk for cardiovascular disease.