Impact of COVID-19 disease lockdown on adult Saudi hypertensive patients in Ha’il region, KSA: Cross sectional study

Abstract

Background: In December 2019, a pandemic emerged from Wuhan, China, caused by a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS COV-2) due to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, various governments and health authorities implemented various measures to prevent the spread of the disease. The quarantine was the most effective measure; however, it has a negative effect on chronically diseased patients, especially hypertensive patients. In this study, we aim to explore the impact of the coronavirus disease lockdown on hypertensive patients in Saudi Arabia in terms of their quality of life and routine checkups. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was designed and distributed to 226 patients with hypertension. Data was collected using Google form and then analyzed using SPSS, and A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The study shows correlation between the pandemic and increase stress level among 65.9% of participants. 40.3% of participants reported that the measurements of blood pressure during the pandemic were much higher, and 47.3% of patients refused to visit health care facilities for their regular follow-ups during the lockdown. Also 63% of patients had developed complications from hypertension during the pandemic.