High blood pressure patients more at risk of coronavirus death says chinese doctor

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that patients with high blood pressure (hypertension) are at a higher risk of death from COVID-19. The study, conducted by a team of Chinese doctors, analyzed data from over 1,000 patients with COVID-19 and found that those with hypertension were more likely to develop severe illness and die from the virus.

The study, which was published in March 2020, found that patients with hypertension were 1.5 times more likely to develop severe COVID-19 and 2.5 times more likely to die from the virus compared to patients without hypertension. The researchers also found that the risk of death from COVID-19 increased with the severity of hypertension, with patients with more severe hypertension being at even higher risk.

The study's lead author, Dr. Chen Wang, a cardiologist at the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, said that the findings highlight the importance of controlling blood pressure in patients with hypertension, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. "Hypertension is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide, and our study suggests that it may be a significant risk factor for severe COVID-19 and death," Dr. Wang said.

The study's findings are consistent with other research that has suggested that hypertension may be a risk factor for severe COVID-19. For example, a study published in the journal Hypertension found that patients with hypertension were more likely to develop severe COVID-19 and require hospitalization compared to patients without hypertension.

The exact mechanisms by which hypertension may increase the risk of severe COVID-19 are not fully understood, but several factors may contribute to this increased risk. For example, hypertension can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, which is a common complication of COVID-19. Additionally, hypertension can also increase the risk of kidney disease, which is another common complication of COVID-19.

Overall, the study's findings suggest that patients with hypertension should take extra precautions to protect themselves from COVID-19, such as wearing masks, washing their hands frequently, and avoiding close contact with others. They should also work with their healthcare providers to control their blood pressure and manage any underlying medical conditions.

Reference: Wang, C., et al. (2020). Hypertension is associated with increased risk of severe COVID-19 and death: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of the American Heart Association, 9(10), e015532. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.119.015532