Abstract
Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Previous studies showed that patients with hypertension are at an increased risk of developing severe COVID-19 infection. Therefore, proper blood pressure control in hypertensive patients with COVID-19 is of great importance. In this review, we discussed the effects of different classes of antihypertensive drugs on patients with hypertension and COVID-19.
Highlights
Hypertension is a chronic and age-related condition which leads to cardiovascular and renal complications [1]
A study conducted by Vasanthakumar suggested that using beta-blockers could offer several benefits to treat COVID-19, such as the reduction of the SARS-CoV-2 cell entry via downregulation of the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2), reducing the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, and the reduction of complications, such as pulmonary embolism, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and septic shock [17]
Two other studies concluded that using ACE inhibitors/ angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) was associated with a significantly lower risk of hospitalization in hypertensive patients infected by SARS-CoV-2 [51, 52]
Summary
Hypertension is a chronic and age-related condition which leads to cardiovascular and renal complications [1]. Alpha-blockers are a class of drugs that reduce vascular smooth muscle contractions and cause vasodilation [5] They are not used as first-line agents in treating high blood pressure [11]. A study conducted by Vasanthakumar suggested that using beta-blockers could offer several benefits to treat COVID-19, such as the reduction of the SARS-CoV-2 cell entry via downregulation of the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2), reducing the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, and the reduction of complications, such as pulmonary embolism, ARDS, and septic shock [17]. E most important adverse effects of this group are hyperkalemia, renal dysfunction, cough, and firstdose hypotension [29] It is debatable whether it is safe to use ACE inhibitors and ARBs in hypertensive patients with COVID-19 [30]. Several studies reported that COVID-19 patients with hypertension using ACE inhibitors/ARBs had a lower mortality rate, the risk of ICU admission, maximal viral load,
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