ISLAMABAD, July 25 (online): A review suggests smoking and vaping could increase the severity of COVID-19 due to blood vessel damage and a higher risk of stroke. “There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that, as well as the respiratory symptoms of COVID-19, the disease can also cause, among others, neurological effects.” A recent report from a neurological hospital identifies cases of delirium, brain inflammation, nerve damage, and stroke in COVID-19 patients. Reports of stroke in COVID-19 are particularly prevalent. Some reports estimate that 30% of critically ill COVID-19 patients experience blood clots. And if they occur in the brain, they may trigger a stroke. Smoking causes well-known damage to the lungs and respiratory system. Previous research has shown that it also makes a person more vulnerable to influenza. Smoking can also affect the vascular system in the brain, prompting the researchers to review the evidence on how this activity might influence the neurological symptoms of people who contract COVID-19. They first looked at the evidence on SARS-CoV-2 and neurological disorders, including stroke. They found one study which showed that 36.4% of COVID-19 patients had neurological symptoms. Another paper found five cases of sudden stroke in COVID-19 patients … Continue reading Stroke risk higher for COVID-19 patients who smoke or vape: Research