THE IMPACT OF HYPERTENSION ON COVID-19 SEVERITY: A GLOBAL REVIEW

Abstract

Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a prevalent medical condition that can exacerbate the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Studies from around the globe have shown that hypertensive patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) tend to experience more severe symptoms and have poorer outcomes. A meta-analysis of eight studies from China found that hypertensive patients were over twice as likely to develop severe COVID-19 illness that requires intensive care unit admission, mechanical ventilation or results in death. Several other analyzes of data from China, Italy, and the United States have come to similar conclusions, showing roughly double the risk of adverse outcomes in hypertensive patients. In summary, hypertension appears strongly linked to worse COVID-19 outcomes across the world. Patients should maintain good blood pressure control and take recommended precautions to avoid SARS-CoV-2 infection. Clinicians should closely monitor hypertensive patients diagnosed with COVID-19 due to their increased risk of critical illness. Continued research on how hypertension influences COVID-19 severity can help guide therapeutic approaches for this high-risk population.